Nasopharynx Anatomy

• The pharynx, a muscular column posterior to the oral cavity, nasal cavity, and larynx, is lined with mucosa and muscle fibers.
• The pharynx facilitates voice production.
• The pharynx serves as a passageway for both food and air.

Nasopharynx

• The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the pharynx.
• The nasopharynx sits behind the conchae, in the posterior nasal cavity.
• The nasal cavity communicates with the nasopharynx through the nasal conchae.
• Torus tubarius features folds, elevations of the auditory (Eustachian) tube.
• Torus levatorius is located just below the torus tubarius.
• Torus levatorius is an elevation produced by the levator veli palatini muscle.
  • The levator veli palatini muscle elevates the soft palate during swallowing and keeps food from entering the nasopharynx.
• Pharyngeal recesses sit behind the Eustachian tube.
• Salpingopharyngeal folds are ridges formed by the salpingopharyngeus muscle.
• The soft palate is posterior to the hard palate.
• The soft palate comprises the tensor veli palatini muscle.
• Palatine uvula is a conical projection from the posterior free edge of the soft palate.
• The palatine uvula hangs down into the oropharynx.
• The pharyngeal tonsil is also known as the adenoids.
• The pharyngeal tonsil is lymphatic tissue in the nasopharyngeal part of the pharynx.

Oropharynx

• The oropharynx is located between the nasopharynx and laryngopharynx.
• The Oropharynx is just behind the oral cavity.
• The oropharynx extends from the soft palate to the hyoid bone.
• The vallecula epiglottica is a fossa between the lateral and median glossoepiglottic folds, and the epiglottis.
• Palatopharyngeal arches feature two folds of mucous membrane.
  • The palatopharyngeal arches overlie the palatopharyngeal muscle, which depresses the palate.
• The root of the tongue is the posterior part of the tongue.
• The root of the tongue anchors the tongue to the mandible and hyoid bone.
• Vallate papillae are structures on the root of the tongue which contain taste buds.
• Lingual tonsils are structures on the root of the tongue.
• Palatine tonsils comprise lymphoid tissue.
  • Palatine tonsils are mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT).

Laryngopharynx

• The laryngopharynx is located behind the larynx.
• The laryngopharynx extends from the oropharynx to the esophagus.
• The piriform recess is located on both sides of the laryngopharynx.
• The epiglottis is covered by mucous membrane and made of elastic cartilage.
• During swallowing, the epiglottis closes to seal off the larynx from the food bolus.
• When breathing, the epiglottis remains open.
• The Laryngeal inlet opens from the pharynx to the larynx.
• The Laryngeal inlet connects the pharynx and the larynx.
• Food and liquid are prevented from entering the respiratory tract by the epiglottis, which closes the Laryngeal inlet.
• Aryepiglottic folds are located at the opening of the larynx.
• Aryepiglottic folds are mucosal folds overlying the aryepiglottic muscle.
• Aryepiglottic folds aid in phonation.
• The interarytenoid notch is a depression found between the two apices of the arytenoid cartilages which is covered by mucosa.
• Cuneiform tubercles are mucosa-covered prominences.
• Cuneiform tubercles are formed by the underlying cuneiform cartilage.
• Cuneiform tubercles are located on the posterior parts of the aryepiglottic folds.
• Corniculate tubercles are eminences formed by the underlying corniculate cartilage, covered by mucosa.
• The piriform fossa/piriform recess is located between the aryepiglottic folds and the thyroid cartilage on either side of the laryngeal inlet.
• The piriform fossa/piriform recess houses a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve in its mucosa.