Pharynx and Oesophagus

Question 1

what is the pharynx

Answer 1

muscular tube from the base of the skull to the oesophagus

Question 2

what does the pharynx do?

Answer 2

conducts air and directs food to oesophagus

Question 3

what are the 3 parts of the pharynx?

Answer 3

nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx

Question 4

what is the function of the nasopharynx?

Answer 4

respiratory function

Question 5

what is the nasolacrimal duct?

Answer 5

connects your eyes to your nose so when you are crying you need to blow your nose

Question 6

what does the opening of the auditory tube do?

Answer 6

equalises pressure between mouth and the middle of the ear

Question 7

what are the most anterior set of tonsils?

Answer 7

tubal tonsils

Question 8

what sits behind tubal tonsils?

Answer 8

pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)

Question 9

where are the palatal tonsils?

Answer 9

right at the back of the mouth

Question 10

what are tubal and pharyngeal tonsils collections of?

Answer 10

inflammatory cells

Question 11

what is the function of the oropharynx?

Answer 11

digestive function

Question 12

what is the superior part of the oropharynx?

Answer 12

soft palate

Question 13

what is the inferior part of the oropharynx?

Answer 13

the base of the tongue (epiglottis)

Question 14

what is the function of the epiglottis?

Answer 14

flaps down to protect windpipe when swallowing

Question 15

where is the palatoglossal fold?

Answer 15

joined to palate and tongue and is towards the front of the mouth

Question 16

where is the palatopharyngeal fold?

Answer 16

joined to palate and pharynx and sits further back in the mouth

Question 17

what does Waldeyers ring consist of?

Answer 17

tubal tonsils, pharyngeal tonsils, palatal tonsils

Question 18

what is the superior part of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 18

epiglottis

Question 19

what is the inferior part of the laryngopharynx?

Answer 19

level of cricoid cartilage (below thyroid cartilage)

Question 20

what is the piriform fossa?

Answer 20

indentation at the back of the throat

Question 21

where is the superior constrictor muscle?

Answer 21

goes from one side to the other underneath the mandible

Question 22

what is the structure of the pharynx?

Answer 22

superior constrictor, middle constrictor, hyoid bone and inferior constrictor

Question 23

what cranial nerves supply the pharynx?

Answer 23

9 (glossopharyngeal) and 10 (vagus)

Question 24

what is the nerve supply to the pharynx?

Answer 24

motor and sensory

Question 25

what nerve supplies the motor function of the pharynx?

Answer 25

vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 26

what nerve supplies the sensory function of the pharynx?

Answer 26

glossopharyngeal (CN IX)

Question 27

what is otitis?

Answer 27

middle ear infection

Question 28

what can otitis be caused by?

Answer 28

infections at the back of the throat which moves up

Question 29

what type of infection is tonsillitis?

Answer 29

viral but can be bacterial if pus is present

Question 30

what is the oesophagus?

Answer 30

muscular tube in between the pharynx and the stomach

Question 31

where does the oesophagus lie?

Answer 31

the neck, thorax and the abdomen

Question 32

what is the oesophagus posterior to?

Answer 32

the trachea and the heart

Question 33

what type of sphincter is the upper oesophageal sphincter and what is it controlled by?

Answer 33

anatomical ad controlled by muscle

Question 34

what does the lower oesophageal sphincter do and what type of sphincter is it?

Answer 34

it kinks to stop reflux and is a physiological sphincter for function and orientation

Question 35

what is the type of epithelium in the oesophagus?

Answer 35

stratified squamous (non-keratinising)

Question 36

what type of glands are in the oesophagus?

Answer 36

submucosal glands (mucous)

Question 37

what are the muscle layers in the oesophagus?

Answer 37

muscularis mucosae (circular inner and longitudinal outer)

Question 38

what is the muscle type in the upper third of the oesophagus?

Answer 38

skeletal

Question 39

what is the muscle type in the middle third of the oesophagus?

Answer 39

mixed

Question 40

what is the muscle type in the lower third of the oesophagus?

Answer 40

smooth

Question 41

what lies underneath the mucosa of the oesophagus?

Answer 41

lymphoids (inflammatory tissue)

Question 42

what is the gastro-oesophageal junction?

Answer 42

junction between stomach and oesophagus

Question 43

what is metaplasia?

Answer 43

change in epithelium from one type to another, reversible

Question 44

what is dysplasia?

Answer 44

more cell death, higher mitotic activity, pre-cancerous stage

Question 45

what is G.O.R.D?

Answer 45

gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder

Question 46

what are the 2 roles of swallowing?

Answer 46

get food to stomach and prevent food from entering the airway

Question 47

describe the oral phase of swallowing

Answer 47

move food posteriorly, some can pass onto pharyngeal surface of tongue, liquid remains in the mouth in front of pillars

Question 48

describe the pharyngeal phase of swallowing

Answer 48

oro- to laryngopharynx, soft palate raises, depression of epiglottis, contraction of vocal folds, relaxation of upper oesophageal sphincter

Question 49

what is the first step of swallowing in the oesophageal phase?

Answer 49

upper oesophageal sphincter constricts and blous passes forward

Question 50

what is the second step of swallowing in the oesophageal phase?

Answer 50

peristalsis drives bolus down oesophagus which constricts above bolus and dilates and shortens below

Question 51

what is the third step of swallowing in the oesophageal phase?

Answer 51

lower oesophageal sphincter relaxes to admit bolus to stomach

Question 52

what is dysphagia?

Answer 52

neuromuscular disease which means you have difficulty swallowing

Question 53

what obstructions can there be in dysphagia?

Answer 53

srictures, spasm, tumours and developmental abnormalities

Question 54

what is the first variation of a tracheo-oesophageal fistula?

Answer 54

oesophagus comes down and stops, lower ending joins to trachea, stomach acid rises and goes to trachea, lots of coughing, 90% of cases

Question 55

what is the second variation of a tracheo-oesophageal fistula?

Answer 55

ending of oesophagus, food and fluid cannot pass and continual vomiting whenever eating as food and fluid cant go to stomach

Question 56

what is the third variation of a tracheo-oesophageal fistula?

Answer 56

oesophagus goes all the way down but linked to trachea, no vomiting, repeated chest infections, not picked up straight away