Pharynx Anatomy Quiz: Explore the Throat with Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the hard palate in the oral cavity?

To aid in breathing

To facilitate speech

To produce saliva

To separate the oral cavity from the nasal cavity (correct)

What type of glands are the salivary glands classified as?

Tubuloalveolar glands

Simple alveolar glands

Compound alveolar glands (correct)

Simple tubular glands

Where is the pharyngeal tonsil located?

In the lateral posterior walls of the oral cavity

In the soft palate

In the median dorsal wall of the nasopharynx (correct)

At the root of the tongue

What is the primary function of the soft palate?

To separate the oral cavity from the nasal cavity Signup and view all the answers

Where are the palatine tonsils located?

In the lateral posterior walls of the oral cavity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of saliva produced by the salivary glands?

To aid in digestion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the esophagus?

To transport food from the pharynx to the stomach Signup and view all the answers

Where are the mucous glands that produce lubricating mucus located?

In the esophagus Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the mass of food formed in the mouth during the voluntary phase of deglutition?

Bolus Signup and view all the answers

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

To close the passage between the nasopharynx and oropharynx Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the sphincter located at the lower end of the esophagus?

Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) Signup and view all the answers

During which phase of deglutition is the bolus of food stimulated by receptors in the oropharynx?

Pharyngeal phase Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium lines the esophagus?

Moist stratified squamous non-keratinizing epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the pharynx only transmits air?

Nasopharynx Signup and view all the answers

What forms the posterior walls of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx?

Superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate length of the esophagus?

25 cm Signup and view all the answers

What type of muscle is present in the upper 1/3 of the esophagus?

Skeletal muscle Signup and view all the answers

Where is the esophagus located?

Anterior to the vertebrae and posterior to the trachea Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Palate and Tonsils

The palate separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity, preventing food from entering the nasal cavity during chewing and swallowing.
The hard palate is the bony anterior part, while the soft palate is the posterior portion consisting of skeletal muscle and connective tissue.
The uvula is the posterior extension of the soft palate.

Tonsils

Tonsils are located in the lateral posterior walls of the oral cavity, in the nasopharynx, and on the posterior surface of the tongue.
Palatine tonsils are found between the glossopalatine and pharyngopalatine arches on both sides.
Pharyngeal or adenoid tonsil is found on the median dorsal wall of the nasopharynx.
Lingual tonsil is found at the root of the tongue.

Salivary Glands

Salivary glands are compound alveolar glands that produce saliva, a mixture of serous and mucous fluids.
There are three major pairs of salivary glands: parotid glands, submandibular glands, and sublingual glands.

Esophagus

The esophagus passes through the diaphragm and ends at the stomach, transporting food from the pharynx to the stomach.
Upper and lower esophageal sphincters regulate the movement of food into and out of the esophagus.
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is also called the cardiac sphincter.
Mucous glands produce thick, lubricating mucus that coats the inner surface of the esophagus.

Deglutition (Swallowing)

Swallowing can be divided into three phases: voluntary, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases.
Voluntary phase: the bolus is formed in the mouth and pushed by the tongue against the hard palate into the oropharynx.
Pharyngeal phase: a reflex initiated by the bolus stimulating receptors in the oropharynx, involving the elevation of the soft palate and contraction of pharyngeal constrictor muscles.
Esophageal phase: the bolus is transported through the esophagus into the stomach.

Pharynx

The pharynx is the posterior continuation of the oral cavity, connecting the mouth to the esophagus.
It consists of three parts: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
Normally, only the oropharynx and laryngopharynx transmit food.
The posterior walls of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx are formed by superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles.

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Description

Learn about the structure and function of the pharynx, including its three parts and the role of pharyngeal constrictor muscles. Test your knowledge of the oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus.