15 Questions
What is the length of the pharynx?
12-14 cm
Which of the following bones is related to the superior end of the pharynx?
Sphenoid bone
What is the width of the pharynx at its base?
3.5 cm
Which of the following is NOT a feature of the nasopharynx?
Palatine tonsil
What is the function of the pharyngeal isthmus?
Allows breathing through either the nose or the mouth
Which of the following arteries supplies the palatine tonsils?
All of the above
What is the boundary between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx?
Soft palate
Which artery supplies the palatine tonsil?
Ascending palatine artery
What is the function of the constrictor muscles of the pharynx?
Facilitate passage of food bolus inferiorly during deglutition
Which nerve innervates the stylopharyngeus muscle?
Glossopharyngeal nerve
What is the location of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes?
In the retropharyngeal space
Which of the following muscles originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone?
Stylopharyngeus
What is the function of the superior constrictor muscle?
Facilitate passage of food bolus inferiorly during deglutition
Which of the following nerves is located between the digastric and stylopharyngeus muscles?
Glossopharyngeal nerve
What is the origin of the palatopharyngeus muscle?
Hard palate
Study Notes
Pharynx
- Common passage for air and food
- Extends between C1-C6 vertebrae, 12-15 cm long
- Superior end of respiratory and digestive tube
Dimensions
- Length: 12-14 cm
- Width: 3.5 cm at base, 1.5 cm at pharyngo-esophageal junction
Relations
- Superiorly: body of sphenoid, basilar portion of occipital bone
- Anteriorly: communicates with nasal cavity, oral cavity, and larynx
- Inferiorly: continuous with esophagus
- Posteriorly: C1-C6, longus capitis, longus coli, prevertebral fascia
Nasopharynx
- Located behind nasal cavity, above soft palate
- Anteriorly: related to nasal cavity
- Posteriorly: C1
- Superiorly: base of skull
- Inferiorly: oropharynx
- Features: pharyngeal opening of auditory tube, tubal elevation, salpingopharyngeal fold, salpingopalatine fold, pharyngeal recess, pharyngeal tonsil
Pharyngeal Isthmus (Nasopharyngeal Isthmus)
- An opening bounded by soft palate and posterior wall of pharynx (Passavant's ridge)
Oropharynx
- Anteriorly: related to oral cavity
- Posteriorly: level of body of C2 vertebra and upper part of C3
- Superiorly: nasopharynx
- Inferiorly: laryngopharynx
- Features: palatine tonsils
Laryngopharynx
- Extends from upper border of epiglottic cartilage to lower border of cricoid cartilage of larynx
- Anteriorly: related to laryngeal inlet, posterior surface of arytenoid and cricoid cartilage of larynx
- Posteriorly: C3-C6 vertebra
- Superiorly: oropharynx
- Inferiorly: esophagus
Muscles of Pharynx
- 3 pairs of constrictor muscles: superior, middle, and inferior constrictors
- 3 pairs of longitudinal muscles: stylopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus
Constrictor Muscles
- Superior constrictor: originates from medial pterygoid plate, pterygomandibular raphe, mandible, and side of tongue
- Middle constrictor: originates from greater and lesser horns of hyoid bone
- Inferior constrictor: originates from thyroid and cricoid cartilage of larynx
Longitudinal Muscles
- Stylopharyngeus: originates from styloid process of temporal bone
- Palatopharyngeus: originates from posterior part of hard palate
- Salpingopharyngeus: originates from cartilage of auditory tube
Retropharyngeal Lymph Nodes
- Located in retropharyngeal space behind pharynx
- Involved in drainage of lymph from several regions of head and neck
This quiz covers the anatomy of the pharynx, a common passage for air and food, including its dimensions and relationships with surrounding structures.
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