Pharyngeal Anatomy and Innervation

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Questions and Answers

Which nerve supplies the nasopharynx?

Olfactory nerve

Glossopharyngeal nerve (correct)

Maxillary nerve

Vagus nerve

What is the function of the paranasal air sinuses?

To increase the weight of the skull

To regulate blood pressure

To decrease the weight of the skull (correct)

To stimulate nerve growth

Which nerve branch is responsible for supplying the oropharynx?

Glossopharyngeal nerve (correct)

Olfactory nerve

Pharyngeal branches of the vagus nerve

Maxillary nerve

Which artery supplies the lingual tonsils?

Facial artery Signup and view all the answers

Where do the frontal air sinuses drain?

Hiatus semilunaris Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve is responsible for supplying the laryngopharynx?

Internal laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve Signup and view all the answers

Where do the ethmoidal air sinuses drain?

Hiatus semilunaris Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the paranasal air sinuses in relation to the voice?

To give resonance Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve supplies the tensor palati muscle?

Mandibular nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerve is associated with the pharyngeal plexus of nerves?

Cranial accessory nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the first structure that the facial nerve encounters after exiting the stylomastoid foramen?

Parotid gland Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is responsible for elevating the soft palate during swallowing?

Levator palati Signup and view all the answers

What is the action of the palatopharyngeus muscle?

Pulls the tongue upwards Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the falx cerebri?

To separate the cerebral hemispheres from each other Signup and view all the answers

Which artery supplies the nasal cavity?

Sphenopalatine artery Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the falx cerebri?

Sickle-shaped Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the tentorium cerebelli?

To separate the occipital lobes of the cerebral hemispheres from the superior surface of the cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve branch is responsible for the anterior ethmoidal nerve?

Ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the tensor palati muscle?

Tenses the soft palate Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the tentorium cerebelli?

Tent-like Signup and view all the answers

Which bone forms the posterior wall of the nasopharynx?

Basioccipital bone Signup and view all the answers

What is the attachment point of the anterior end of the falx cerebri?

Crista gale Signup and view all the answers

What is the attachment point of the posterior end of the falx cerebri?

Internal occipital protuberance Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the venous dural sinus lodged in the superior border of the falx cerebri?

Superior sagittal sinus Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Lingual Artery

Venous drainage: pharyngeal veins drain into the internal jugular vein.
Nerve supply (pharyngeal plexus):
Motor: pharyngeal branches of the vagus (“cranial accessory”) and glossopharyngeal nerves.
Sensory:
- Nasopharynx: mainly by the maxillary nerve.
- Oropharynx: mainly by the glossopharyngeal nerve.
- Laryngeopharynx: by the internal laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve.

The Palatine Tonsils

Relations:
Anteriorly: palatoglossal fold.
Posteriorly: palatopharyngeal fold.
Superiorly: soft palate.
Inferiorly: posterior third of the tongue.
Medial: oropharynx.
Lateral: superior constrictor of the pharynx and the external palatine vein.
Arterial supply: tonsilar branch of the facial artery.
Lymphatic drainage: deep cervical (jugulodigastric node).

Paranasal Air Sinuses

Functions:
Decrease the weight of the skull.
Provide the optimum temperature and humidity to the inspired air.
Give resonance to the voice.
Drainage:
Frontal air sinuses: infundibulum (middle meatus).
Maxilary air sinuses: hiatus semilunaris (middle meatus).
Ethmoidal air sinuses:
- Anterior: hiatus semilunaris (middle meatus).
- Middle: bulla ethmoidalis (middle meatus).
- Posterior: superior meatus.
Sphenoidal air sinuses: sphenoethmoidal recess.

Nasal Cavity

Nerves:
Olfactory nerves in the roof (the olfactory mucosa).
Branches from the maxillary nerve to the rest of nasal walls.
Nasopalatine nerve (from sphenopalatine ganglion).
Nasal branches of the greater palatine nerves.

The Falx Cerebri

A sickle-shaped fold of the inner layer of the cranial dura matter.
Separates the cerebral hemispheres from each other.
Attached to the crista gale anteriorly and the beak of the tentorium cerebelli posteriorly.
Has a superior convex border and an inferior concave free border.
Lodges the following venous dural sinuses:
Superior sagittal sinus in its attached superior border.
Inferior sagittal sinus in its free inferior border.
Straight sinus in its posterior wider end.

The Tentorium Cerebelli

A tent-like shaped fold of the inner layer of the cranial dura matter.
Separates the occipital lobes of the cerebral hemispheres from the superior surface of the cerebellum.
Has an outer convex attached border and an inner concave free border.
Attached to the posterior clinoid process, tip and superior border of the petrous part of the temporal bone, the lips of the transverse sulcus, and the internal occipital protuberance.
Lodges the following venous dural sinuses.

Nasopharynx

The upper part of the pharynx that communicates freely with the nasal cavities anteriorly through the posterior nasal apertures.
Features:
Pharyngotympanic tube.
Tubal elevation.
Salpigopharyngeal fold that contains the salpigopharyngeus muscle.
Pharyngeal recess above the tubal elevation.
Roof occupied by the pharyngeal tonsil.
Floor formed by the soft palate.
Posteriorly, the basisphenoid and basioccipital bones.

Muscles of the Soft Palate

Tensor palati: Mandibular nerve, tens the soft palate.
Levator palati: Pharyngeal plexus of nerves, elevates the soft palate.
Palatopharyngeus: Pharyngeal plexus of nerves, elevates the pharynx during swallowing.
Salpigopharyngeus: Pharyngeal plexus of nerves, pulls the tongue upwards and backwards during swallowing.

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Description

This quiz covers the anatomy and innervation of the pharynx, including venous drainage, nerve supply, and motor and sensory functions.