Pharynx Flashcards
list the 3 parts of the pharynx from superior to inferior
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
where is the nasopharynx located?
between the base of the skull and the soft palate
what is the function of the nasopharynx?
respiratory - conditions inspired air
what is the nasopharynx lined with?
respiratory epithelium - ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells
where are the adenoid tonsils found?
posterosuperior nasopharynx
what can happen if the adenoid tonsils become enlarged due to viral infections?
- obstruct opening of auditory tube
- prevents the equalising of pressure in the middle ear and normal drainage of fluid
- > chronic otitis media with effusion
where is the oropharynx located?
between soft palate and superior border of the epiglottis
what 4 structures does the oropharynx contain?
- posterior third of tongue
- lingual tonsils
- palatine tonsils
- superior constrictor muscles
waldeyers ring
ring of lymphoid tissue in naso and oropharynx formed by the paired palatine, adenoid and lingual tonsils
what is the role of the oropharynx?
voluntary and involuntary phases of swallowing
where is the laryngopharynx located?
between superior border of epiglottis and inferior border of cricoid cartilage (C6)
what are the two main groups of pharyngeal muscles?
longitudinal and circular
the muscles of the pharynx are innervated by what nerve?
what is the exception to this?
vagus nerve
- stylopharyngeus is the exception (glossopharyngeal nerve)
how many circular pharyngeal constrictor muscles are there?
3 - superior, middle, inferior
what is the role of the circular pharyngeal muscles?
constrict the pharyngeal lumen and propel food inferiorly to oesophagus
origin and insertion of superior pharyngeal constrictor
origin - Pterygoid hamulus, posterior end of
mylohiod line (plus non bony attachments
– pterygomandibular raphe, side of
tongue)
insertion - Pharyngeal tubercle of
occipital bone (plus none bony
attachment – pharyngeal
raphe)
origin and insertion of middle pharyngeal constrictor
origin - Greater and lesser horns of hyoid (plus
non bony attachments – stylohoid
ligament)
insertion - None bony – pharyngeal raphe
origin and insertion of inferior pharyngeal constrictor
origin - None bony - thyroid and cricoid cartilages
insertion -None bony – pharyngeal raphe
what are the 3 longitudinal pharyngeal muscles?
stylopharyngeus
palatopharyngeus
salpingopharyngeus
what is the role of the longitudinal pharyngeal muscles?
- shorten and widen the pharynx
- elevate the larynx during swallowing
the salpingopharyngeus muscle is responsible for swallowing - what else is it responsible for?
opening the eustachian tube
origin and insertion of stylopharyngeus
origin - . Styloid process of temporal bone
insertion - None bony – side of pharynx
origin and insertion of palatopharyngeus
origin - None bony – palatine aponeurosis
insertion - . None bony – thyroid cartilage
& side of pharynx
origin and insertion of salpingopharyngeus
origin - . None bony – pharyngotympanic tube
insertion -. None bony – side of pharynx
