Pharynx/ Larynx Flashcards
(37 cards)
The laryngeal cough reflex is a NEUROLOGICAL reflex that protects the upper airway from significant aspiration of food or fluid. This is triggered by a noxious stimulus to the ________ - vital function in humans
Supraglottic laryngeal mucosa
*Laryngeal cough reflex has a role in neurologic airway protection
Swallowing (deglutition) what are the 3 phases?
- Oral (mastication)
- Oropharyngeal phase (elevation of the floor of the mouth and tongue in order to push the bolos into the oropharynx)
- Pharyngo-esophageal phase (The oropharynx is elevated and constricts around the bolus to propel it down the esophagus)
The gutters on each side of the laryngeal adieus are referred to as
Pyriform Recess –> empty the food into the esophagus
Newborns are nasal breathers. They can suckle and breathe through their nose at the same time - adults CANNOT. The position of the human larynx changes from a newborn to an adult - describe this change
Relationship between the soft glottis and the epiglottis
In the adult the distance between the soft palate and the epiglottis is changed significantly
The reason for this is because the larynx is displaced
Proposed that there is an increase in SID due to the larynx being displaced from the back of the throat to its position in the neck - linear displacement overtime
related to the development of neurological airway protection –> laryngeal cough reflex
What nerve innervates the inferior area of the larynx- specifically the vestibular region of the larynx and is involved with neurological airway protection –> triggers an expiratory cough reflex (expiratory reflex, not a true cough)
Internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve
- Travels with the Superior Laryngeal A.
What are the 3 divisions of the pharynx?
Naso-pharynx
OroPharynx
Laryngopharynx
Boundaries of the pharynx:
What structure is between the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx?
Choanae
Boundaries of the pharynx:
What structure is between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx
Pharyngeal Isthmus
- Opening between the soft palate and the posterior pharyngeal wall
Boundaries of the pharynx:
What structure is between the oral cavity and the oral pharynx?
Faucial Isthmus
- formed by palatoglossal folds
between the oral cavity and the oral pharynx
- The uvula sits right in front of it
The nasopharynx is located posterior to the nasal cavity.
It communicates to the nasal cavity via the
choanae
The nasopharynx is located posterior to the nasal cavity.
It communicates to the middle ear via the
auditory tube (Eustachian tube)
The nasopharynx is located posterior to the nasal cavity.
It communicates to the oropharynx via the
pharyngeal isthmus
Anatomically, what is located above the Eustachian tube? (2)
Torus Tubarius and the pharyngeal tonsils
The oropharynx communicates with the oral cavity via the
faucial isthmus
The faucial isthmus is made up of
palatoglossal folds and palatopharyngeal fold
The palatoglossal folds demarcate the
anterior 2/3 of the tongue from the posterior 1/3 of the tongue. The glossopharyngeal nerve descends and innervates the posterior 1/3 of the tongue
The laryngopharynx communicates with the oropharynx at the level of the
hyoid - CV6
- Larynx via the laryngeal aditus and the esophagus via the pyriform recess
The _____ fascia is a continuation of the pre tracheal fascia. It covers the
outside of the buccinator muscle and the pharynx. The pharyngeal plexus is embedded in the portion of the fascia covering the middle constrictor
In between the buccinator fascia and the pre-vertebral fascia is the
retropharyngeal space
What is the main pharyngeal elevator? What is the origin and insertion and what is it innervated by? What is the function?
The Stylopharyngeus muscle arises from the styloid process and inserts on the pharyngeal wall. between the superior and middle constrictors it is innervated by the glossopharyngeal n (IX) *only muscle innervated by this nerve
During the last phase of swallowing (pharyngeoesphogus phase) the pharynx will elevate and constrict. The Stylopharyngeous muscle will elevate the pharynx
Pharyngeal constrictors:
During the last phase of swallowing (pharyngeoesphogus phase) the pharynx will elevate and constrict. The Stylopharyngeous muscle will elevate the pharynx and the superior, middle and inferior constrictors will constrict.
The superior constrictor is attached laterally to the pterygomandibular raphe and attaches posteriorly to the midline by the pharyngeal raphe.
The middle constrictor attaches to the hyoid bone laterally and it is attached posteriorly to the middle of the pharyngeal raphe
The inferior constrictor *** –> attached laterally to the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage. **This is attached posteriorly to the pharyngeal raphe and its fibers will change from oblique to horizon to comprise the cricopharyngeous muscle - this is the muscle used during pharyngeal speech
What are the three branches off he vagus nerve
- Pharyngeal N. –> pharynx
- Internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve goes to the inferior larynx
- external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve goes to the cricothyroid muscle
The ___ constrictor is the largest constrictor. What is special about this constrictor? What is the clinical relevance?
inferior constrictor - this constrictor has oblique fibers that posteriorly turn into horizontal fibers that comprise the cricopharyngeous muscle. This is the area you can get the zener’s diverticulum –> frequently at the junction of the cricopharyngeous and esophageal musculature. This is an area of constriction.
Most result from abnormal intraluminal pressure due to a stricture, esophageal spasm or abnormal lower esophageal sphincter function.
What is the blood supply to the pharynx?
Ascending Pharyngeal A.
and the Inferior Thyroid A
