Adenoid Anatomy and Function Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the pharyngeal tonsil, also known as the adenoid?

To produce lymphocytes for immune response (correct)

To assist in the digestion of food

To secrete mucus for digestive processes

To filter air entering the respiratory tract

Which of the following arteries primarily supplies blood to the adenoid?

Ascending palatine artery (correct)

Phrenic artery

Maxillary artery

Tonsillar branch of the facial artery

What condition is characterized by swelling of the adenoids?

Tonsillitis

Pharyngitis

Chronic rhinitis

Enlarged adenoids (correct)

Enlarged adenoids can lead to which of the following complications?

Dry mouth and bad breath Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an expected symptom of enlarged adenoids in a child?

Respiratory distress Signup and view all the answers

Which lymph nodes are involved in the lymphatic drainage of the adenoid?

Retropharyngeal and pharyngomaxillary nodes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following anatomical features is directly related to the adenoid’s location?

Medial pharyngeal surface along the nasopharynx Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of a child primarily breathing through the mouth due to enlarged adenoids?

Greater likelihood of ear infections Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the Middle Constrictor muscle?

Lower part of stylohyoid ligament and lesser and greater cornu of hyoid Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the Inferior Constrictor muscle is responsible for inserting into the median fibrous raphae?

Thyropharyngeus Signup and view all the answers

What function do the constrictor muscles serve during the act of swallowing?

Prevent air entry into the esophagus in intervals Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT associated with the Inferior Constrictor muscle?

Laryngeal prominence Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical significance of Killian's Triangle?

It is a potential weak area of the pharyngeal wall prone to perforation. Signup and view all the answers

Which parts make up the Inferior Constrictor muscle?

Thyropharyngeus and Cricopharyngeus Signup and view all the answers

Where does the Cricopharyngeus muscle originate?

Anterior part of the cricoid cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What action occurs in the constrictor muscles between swallowing?

They act as sphincters to block air entry. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the posterior boundary of the oral cavity proper?

Pharynx Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is located on each side of the frenulum of the tongue?

Sublingual papilla Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining boundary of the oral vestibule posteriorly?

Teeth and gums Signup and view all the answers

What structure connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth?

Lingual frenulum Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is produced by the underlying sublingual salivary gland?

Sublingual fold Signup and view all the answers

What are the anterior lateral boundaries of the oral cavity proper?

Teeth and gums Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the palate serves as the superior boundary of the oral cavity proper?

Hard palate Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of the tongue primarily made of?

Striated muscular mass Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the superior constrictor muscle?

Contributing to swallowing by propelling food Signup and view all the answers

Which anatomical structure does the inferior constrictor muscle attach to?

Thyroid cartilage Signup and view all the answers

What are the two parts of the inferior constrictor muscle?

Cricopharyngeus and thyropharyngeus Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve is primarily associated with the function of the stylopharyngeus muscle?

Glossopharyngeal nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles are classified as intrinsic muscles of the tongue?

Transverse muscles Signup and view all the answers

The tensor veli palatini muscle plays a role in which of the following functions?

Tensing the soft palate during swallowing Signup and view all the answers

What type of mucosa covers the superior surface of the hard palate?

Respiratory mucosa Signup and view all the answers

Which structure does not contribute to the formation of the pharyngeal raphe?

Temporalis muscle Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is NOT part of the blood supply to the tongue?

Maxillary artery Signup and view all the answers

The posterior 1/3 of the tongue receives its sensory supply primarily from which nerve?

Glossopharyngeal nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary relationship of the superior constrictor muscle?

Lies in the wall of the nasopharynx and oropharynx Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament is associated with the middle constrictor muscle?

Pterygomandibular raphe Signup and view all the answers

Which structure forms the anterior three-quarters of the hard palate?

Palatine processes of the maxillae Signup and view all the answers

The relationships and attachments of the pharyngeal raphe include which of the following bones?

Occipital bone Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the extrinsic muscles of the tongue?

They include the hyoglossus and palatoglossus. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures makes up the soft palate?

Muscular tissue Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is primarily responsible for the action of constricting the pharynx during swallowing?

Middle constrictor Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the intrinsic muscles of the tongue?

Alter the shape of the tongue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the soft palate during deglutition?

To close off the nasopharynx Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle of the soft palate is primarily responsible for tensing its anterior portion?

Tensor veli palatini Signup and view all the answers

Where does the levator veli palatini originate?

Sphenoid bone Signup and view all the answers

What structural feature of the hard palate aids in distinguishing it from the soft palate?

It contains numerous transverse palatine folds Signup and view all the answers

Which structure serves as the anterior landmark of the hard palate?

Incisive papilla Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following muscles is NOT part of the soft palate?

Mylohyoid Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of the tensor veli palatini?

Tenses the soft palate Signup and view all the answers

How does the tensor veli palatini aid in opening the auditory tube?

By contracting and flattening the soft palate Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anatomy of the Palate

The palate is the roof of the mouth, separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity
It has two parts:
- Hard palate (bony) anteriorly
- Soft palate (muscular) posteriorly

Oral Cavity

The mouth extends from the lips to the oropharyngeal isthmus
It comprises two main parts: the vestibule and the oral cavity proper
Oral Vestibule
- Boundaries:
  - Anteriorly by lips
  - Laterally by cheeks
  - Posteriorly, medially by teeth and gums
Oral Cavity Proper
- Boundaries:
  - Anteriorly laterally by teeth and gums
  - Superiorly by the palate
  - Inferiorly by the tongue and the floor of the mouth
  - Posteriorly by opening into the pharynx

Floor of the Mouth

Sublingual region structures:
- Frenulum of the tongue
- Sublingual papillae (on each side of frenulum)
- Sublingual fold
Lingual frenulum (connects tongue to floor of mouth)
Sublingual fold (passes laterally and backwards from the papilla and overlies sublingual gland)
Papillae (openings of submandibular duct)

Tongue

Composed of striated muscular mass, covered by mucous membrane
Anterior 2/3 (oral part) lies in the floor of the mouth
Posterior 1/3 (pharyngeal part) lies in the oropharynx
Muscles:
- Intrinsic muscles: consist of longitudinal, transverse and vertical fibers; alter the shape of tongue
- Extrinsic muscles: hyoglossus, genioglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus
Nerve supply: Hypoglossal nerve (except palatoglossus)
Blood supply: Lingual artery (branches from external carotid)

Posterior 1/3 of the Tongue

Sensory and taste: glossopharyngeal nerve
Taste: chorda tympani branch of facial nerve via lingual branch

Hard Palate

Separates oral cavity from nasal cavities
Covered by respiratory mucosa (superior surface) and oral mucosa (inferior surface).
Anterior ¾ formed by maxillae, posterior ¼ by palatine bones
Anterior and lateral margins are continuous with alveolar arches and gums.

Hard Palate: Features

Incisive papilla : a small oval elevation over incisive fossa
Palatine rugae: transverse folds of hard palate mucosa
Mid-palatine raphe: a median longitudinal ridge

Soft Palate

It helps close off the nasopharynx during deglutition
Composed of five muscles:
- Musculus uvulae
- Tensor veli palatini
- Levator veli palatini
- Palatopharyngeus
- Palatoglossus

Muscles of Soft Palate

Actions:
Bilaterally: Pulls the posterior portion of the soft palate superoposteriorly, separating the nasopharynx from the oropharynx
Unilaterally: Deviates the soft palate laterally

Palatoglossus

Origin: Palatine aponeurosis (oral surface)
Insertion : Lateral tongue to dorsum or intrinsic transverse muscle
Nerve Supply: Vagus n. (CNX) via pharyngeal plexus
Action: Pulls the root of the tongue superiorly and approximates the palatoglossal arch, separating the oral cavity from the oropharynx.

Palatopharyngeus

Origin: Palatine aponeurosis (superior surface) and posterior border of palatine bone
Insertion: Thyroid cartilage (posterior border) or lateral pharynx
Nerve Supply: Vagus n. (CNX) via pharyngeal plexus
Action : Elevates the pharynx anteromedially bilaterally

Vessels of Palate

Arteries: greater palatine branch of maxillary artery, ascending palatine branch of facial artery, palatine branch of ascending pharyngeal artery
Veins: generally follow arteries, ultimately drain into the pterygoid plexus of veins in the infratemporal fossa, or into pharyngeal plexus or facial vein.
Lymphatic: drain into deep cervical nodes.

Nerve Supply to the Palate

Sensory: greater and lesser palatine nerves, nasopalatine nerve (pterygopalatine ganglion)
Motor: cranial accessory nerve through pharyngeal plexus (except tensor palati from trigeminal nerve)

Anatomy of Pharynx

A conical fibromuscular tube forming the upper part of the air and food passages
12-14 cm long and 3.5 cm wide at the base; 1.5 cm at the pharyngo-oesophageal junction
From outwards
- Mucous membrane: pseudostratified ciliated columnar cells (nasopharynx)
- Stratified squamous epithelium
- Pharyngeal aponeurosis: pharyngobasilar fascia; fibrous layer lining muscular coat
- Muscular coat: longitudinal muscles (internal layer) and constrictors
- Buccopharyngeal fascia: covers pharynx externally; pharyngeal plexus of nerves

Pharyngeal Muscles

Stylopharyngeus:
- Origin: medial aspect of styloid process
- Nerve supply: glossopharyngeal
Palatopharyngeus:
- Origin: upper surface of palatine aponeurosis
- Nerve supply: pharyngeal plexus
Salpingopharyngeus:
- Origin: cartilage of auditory tube near pharyngeal opening
- Nerve supply: pharyngeal plexus

Pharyngeal Gaps

First gap (Sinus of Morgagni): Above the margin of superior constrictor; pharyngeal wall is deficient in muscle, completed by pharyngeal fascia and pierced by:
- Eustachian tube
- Levator veli palatini
- Tensor veli palatini
- Ascending palatine artery
Second gap: Between superior and middle constrictor and the posterior border of the mylohyoid muscle. It contains:
stylopharyngeal muscle and glossopharyngeal nerve.
Third gap: Between the lower border of the middle constrictor and upper border of the inferior constrictor. It contains:
internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal artery.
Fourth gap: Below lower border of inferior constrictor. It contains:
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve and inferior laryngeal artery

Blood Supply of Pharynx

Arterial:
- From external carotid artery: Ascending pharyngeal artery, maxillary artery, greater palatine artery, artery of pterygoid canal, tonsillar branch of facial artery; dorsal lingual branch from lingual artery.
Venous: Pharyngeal plexus drains into internal jugular vein.
Lymphatic: Deep cervical and retropharyngeal lymph nodes.

Nerve Supply to Pharynx

Motor: cranial part of accessory nerve through pharyngeal plexus (except stylopharyngeus - supplied by glossopharyngeal nerve)
Sensory:
- Nasopharynx: maxillary nerve via pharyngeal branch of sphenopalatine ganglion
- Oropharynx: glossopharyngeal nerve
- Laryngopharynx: vagus nerve via recurrent and internal laryngeal nerves

Palatine Tonsil

Shape: a large ovoid mass of lymphoid tissue resembling an almond; 2 poles, upper and lower; 2 borders, anterior and posterior; 2 surfaces, medial and lateral
Position: between palatine and tongue; bounded by palatoglossal arch anteriorly and palatopharyngeal arch posteriorly. lies in tonsillar fossa on lateral wall of oropharynx
Blood supply: descending palatine artery, facial artery, ascending palatine artery, dorsal lingual artery
Venous drainage: pharyngeal plexus, into lingual vein, some into superior constrictor; some run into veins of the superior and middle constrictor
Nerve supply: Lesser palatine (maxillary) and glossopharyngeal

Enlarged Adenoids

Enlarged adenoids are swollen adenoids; a common problem in children
Causes breathing difficulties (through nose) which may result in dry mouth, cracked lips, runny nose, loud breathing, snoring, restlessness, and sleep apnea

Waldeyer's Ring

Circular group of lymph nodes in oropharynx and nasopharynx; prevents microorganisms from external environment. Includes nasopharyngeal, tubal, palatine, and lingual tonsils

Killian's Triangle

Potential gap weak area of pharyngeal wall
Where perforation can occur during oesophagostomy.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the pharyngeal tonsils, commonly known as adenoids. This quiz covers their functions, vascular supply, complications from enlargement, and related symptoms in children. Assess your understanding of this important lymphatic tissue and its implications for health.