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Questions and Answers
What anatomical feature contributes to the weakness of the inferior part of the larynx?
What anatomical feature contributes to the weakness of the inferior part of the larynx?
Which nerve supplies sensory innervation to the oral pharynx?
Which nerve supplies sensory innervation to the oral pharynx?
What is the primary reason for the accumulation of food in the inferior part of the pharynx?
What is the primary reason for the accumulation of food in the inferior part of the pharynx?
How does lymph drainage from the pharynx primarily occur?
How does lymph drainage from the pharynx primarily occur?
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What blood vessels are involved in supplying the pharynx?
What blood vessels are involved in supplying the pharynx?
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Which muscle is not supplied by the pharyngeal plexus?
Which muscle is not supplied by the pharyngeal plexus?
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What is the primary function of the Eustachian tube?
What is the primary function of the Eustachian tube?
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How can enlarged adenoid tonsils affect hearing?
How can enlarged adenoid tonsils affect hearing?
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Which area is located at the center of the lateral wall of the nasopharynx?
Which area is located at the center of the lateral wall of the nasopharynx?
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What complication can arise from the obstruction caused by enlarged adenoids?
What complication can arise from the obstruction caused by enlarged adenoids?
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What type of epithelial tissue covers the nasopharyngeal isthmus?
What type of epithelial tissue covers the nasopharyngeal isthmus?
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Which structure is closely associated with pharyngeal tonsils?
Which structure is closely associated with pharyngeal tonsils?
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What happens when the nasal pharynx gets inflamed?
What happens when the nasal pharynx gets inflamed?
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What shapes the pharynx and extends from the base of the skull to the lower border of C6?
What shapes the pharynx and extends from the base of the skull to the lower border of C6?
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Which part of the pharynx is situated behind the nasal cavity?
Which part of the pharynx is situated behind the nasal cavity?
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How many parts does the pharynx have?
How many parts does the pharynx have?
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Which muscle group is responsible for the action of swallowing?
Which muscle group is responsible for the action of swallowing?
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What anatomical structure separates the mucosa from the aponeurosis in the pharynx?
What anatomical structure separates the mucosa from the aponeurosis in the pharynx?
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Which nerve supplies the stylopharyngeus muscle specifically?
Which nerve supplies the stylopharyngeus muscle specifically?
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Which of the following is NOT a part of the pharynx?
Which of the following is NOT a part of the pharynx?
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What type of connective tissue connects the pharyngeal tubercle to the pharyngeal raphe?
What type of connective tissue connects the pharyngeal tubercle to the pharyngeal raphe?
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Which function does the pharynx perform?
Which function does the pharynx perform?
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Which of the following muscles helps elevate the pharynx?
Which of the following muscles helps elevate the pharynx?
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What is the most anterior structure in relation to the esophagus?
What is the most anterior structure in relation to the esophagus?
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Which artery provides blood supply to the esophagus?
Which artery provides blood supply to the esophagus?
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Which nerve primarily forms the esophageal plexus?
Which nerve primarily forms the esophageal plexus?
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What is the main function of the left gastric vein in relation to the esophagus?
What is the main function of the left gastric vein in relation to the esophagus?
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Which structure lies posterior to the esophagus?
Which structure lies posterior to the esophagus?
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What does the acronym 'ABCD' help to remember regarding the esophagus?
What does the acronym 'ABCD' help to remember regarding the esophagus?
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Where is the cricopharyngeal constriction located in relation to the mouth?
Where is the cricopharyngeal constriction located in relation to the mouth?
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Which statement about the recurrent laryngeal nerve is correct?
Which statement about the recurrent laryngeal nerve is correct?
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What type of blood does the azygos vein carry?
What type of blood does the azygos vein carry?
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Where does deoxygenated blood from the esophagus primarily go?
Where does deoxygenated blood from the esophagus primarily go?
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What marks the beginning of the esophagus?
What marks the beginning of the esophagus?
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What level of the spine corresponds to the aortic arch constriction of the esophagus?
What level of the spine corresponds to the aortic arch constriction of the esophagus?
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Where does the esophagus experience its diaphragmatic constriction?
Where does the esophagus experience its diaphragmatic constriction?
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What are the two main functions of the upper and lower esophageal sphincters?
What are the two main functions of the upper and lower esophageal sphincters?
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Which of the following is NOT a constriction point of the esophagus?
Which of the following is NOT a constriction point of the esophagus?
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At what anatomical structure does the left main bronchus cross the esophagus?
At what anatomical structure does the left main bronchus cross the esophagus?
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What type of muscle forms the lower esophageal sphincter?
What type of muscle forms the lower esophageal sphincter?
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How far from the incisors is the left main bronchus constriction located?
How far from the incisors is the left main bronchus constriction located?
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Study Notes
Pharyngeal Plexus
- Stylopharyngeus muscle is the only muscle in the pharynx that is not supplied by the pharyngeal plexus.
- The pharyngeal plexus is formed by the glossopharyngeal nerve and the vagus nerve.
- The pharyngeal plexus supplies all the longitudinal and constrictor muscles of the pharynx.
- The stylopharyngeus muscle is supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve.
Pharynx
- The pharynx is a funnel-shaped muscular tube that is about 13 cm long.
- The pharynx is located behind the nasal and oral cavity, and extends from the base of the skull (specifically, the pharyngeal tubercle) to the lower border of C6.
- The pharynx is involved in both digestion and respiration.
- The pharynx is divided into three parts: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
Nasopharynx
- The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the pharynx.
- The nasopharynx is located behind the nasal cavity and extends to the soft palate.
- The nasopharynx contains the pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids).
- The pharyngeal tonsil can become enlarged due to viral infections of the upper respiratory tract.
- Enlarged adenoids can obstruct the opening of the Eustachian tube, leading to chronic otitis media.
- The Eustachian tube is also known as the auditory tube.
- The Eustachian tube connects the nasopharynx to the middle ear, and helps to balance the pressure between the ear and the outside.
- The nasopharynx has a space called the pharyngeal recess, which is located behind the torus tubarius.
- The nasopharyngeal isthmus is the opening between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx.
Oropharynx
- The oropharynx is the middle part of the pharynx.
- The oropharynx is located behind the oral cavity and extends down to the epiglottis.
- The oropharynx contains the palatine tonsils.
Laryngopharynx
- The Laryngopharynx is the lowermost part of the pharynx.
- The Laryngopharynx is located behind the larynx and extends down to the esophagus.
- The laryngopharynx contains the epiglottis and the larynx.
Pharyngeal Wall
- The pharynx is protected by a wall called the pharyngeal wall.
- The pharyngeal wall has four layers:
- Mucosa: The innermost layer, composed of mucous membrane.
- Submucosa: A layer of connective tissue that separates the mucosa from the pharyngeal aponeurosis.
- Pharyngeal aponeurorsis: A thick fibrous sheath that is the strongest part of the pharyngeal wall and provides attachment for the constrictor muscles. This layer is continuous with the buccopharyngeal fascia which covers the pharynx.
- Adventitia: The outermost layer, made of loose connective tissue, and is continuous with the adventitia of the esophagus.
Pharyngeal Muscles
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There are two types of pharyngeal muscles: constrictor muscles and longitudinal muscles.
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The constrictor muscles are responsible for constricting the pharynx during swallowing.
- The constrictor muscles include the superior, middle, and inferior constrictor muscles.
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The longitudinal muscles are responsible for elevating the pharynx during swallowing.
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The longitudinal muscles include the palatopharyngeus, the stylopharyngeus, and the salpingopharyngeus.
Esophagus
- The esophagus is a muscular tube that is about 25 cm long.
- The esophagus extends from the lower end of the pharynx at the lower border of the cricoid cartilage to the stomach.
- The esophagus begins opposite the body of the 6th cervical vertebra.
- The esophagus passes through the diaphragm at the level of T10.
- The esophagus has a number of constrictions along its length.
- The narrowest part of the esophagus is at the level of the cricoid cartilage, also known as the cricopharyngeal constriction.
- The second constriction is at the aortic arch, at the level of T4.
- The third constriction is at the left main bronchus at the level of the intervertebral disc between T4 and T5.
- The fourth constriction is at the diaphragm.
- These constrictions are significant as they are potential sites of obstruction.
Esophageal Sphincters
- The esophagus has two physiological sphincters:
- The Upper Esophageal Sphincter
- The Lower Esophageal Sphincter
- These sphincters are made of smooth muscle.
- The upper esophageal sphincter is located at the junction of the pharynx and the esophagus.
- The lower esophageal sphincter is located at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach.
- These sphincters prevent the entry of air into the esophagus and the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus.
Otitis Media
- Inflammation of the nasopharynx (specifically, the pharyngeal tonsil/adenoids) can lead to otitis media.
- This is because the Eustachian tube connects the nasopharynx to the middle ear.
- When adenoids are enlarged, they can block the Eustachian tube, preventing proper drainage of the middle ear and leading to infection and inflammation.
Diverticulum
- The inferior part of the pharynx can be a common site for diverticulum formation.
- The inferior constrictor muscle is made up of two parts that are separated from each other by a gap.
- This gap is not covered by muscle and is only covered by mucous membrane, making it a weak area.
- This weak area is prone to diverticulum formation.
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Description
Explore the anatomy of the pharyngeal plexus and the pharynx in this quiz. Test your knowledge on the structure, functions, and parts of the pharynx, including the roles of different muscles and nerves. Learn about important details like the nasopharynx and its significance in respiration and digestion.
