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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of Waldeyer's ring?
What is the primary function of Waldeyer's ring?
Which muscle of the pharynx is specifically supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve?
Which muscle of the pharynx is specifically supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve?
Which layer of the pharynx consists of constrictor muscles?
Which layer of the pharynx consists of constrictor muscles?
Which type of epithelium lines the nasopharynx?
Which type of epithelium lines the nasopharynx?
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Where does the pharynx connect to the esophagus?
Where does the pharynx connect to the esophagus?
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Which tonsils are located in the lateral parts of Waldeyer's ring?
Which tonsils are located in the lateral parts of Waldeyer's ring?
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What structure forms a pharyngeal raphe on the posterior aspect of the pharynx?
What structure forms a pharyngeal raphe on the posterior aspect of the pharynx?
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Which of the following muscles elevates the larynx during swallowing?
Which of the following muscles elevates the larynx during swallowing?
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What type of tissue makes up the buccopharyngeal fascia?
What type of tissue makes up the buccopharyngeal fascia?
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What is the topographical position of the pharynx in relation to the cervical vertebrae?
What is the topographical position of the pharynx in relation to the cervical vertebrae?
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What structures form the roof of the nasopharynx?
What structures form the roof of the nasopharynx?
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Which of the following structures communicates inferiorly with the nasopharynx?
Which of the following structures communicates inferiorly with the nasopharynx?
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What is the consequence of a pathologically enlarged pharyngeal tonsil?
What is the consequence of a pathologically enlarged pharyngeal tonsil?
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What is the role of the salpingopharyngeal fold in the lateral wall of the nasopharynx?
What is the role of the salpingopharyngeal fold in the lateral wall of the nasopharynx?
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Which nerve is primarily responsible for the sensation in the oropharynx?
Which nerve is primarily responsible for the sensation in the oropharynx?
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Where is the palatine tonsil located within the oropharynx?
Where is the palatine tonsil located within the oropharynx?
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Which muscle is primarily responsible for the elevation of the soft palate during swallowing?
Which muscle is primarily responsible for the elevation of the soft palate during swallowing?
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What anatomical structure is supported by the axis and C3 vertebrae in the oropharynx?
What anatomical structure is supported by the axis and C3 vertebrae in the oropharynx?
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Which part of the pharynx does the oropharynx communicate with superiorly?
Which part of the pharynx does the oropharynx communicate with superiorly?
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Which structure is located behind the tubal elevation in the nasopharynx?
Which structure is located behind the tubal elevation in the nasopharynx?
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Which anatomical structure bounds the tonsillar fossa posteriorly?
Which anatomical structure bounds the tonsillar fossa posteriorly?
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What is the primary nerve supply to the pharynx?
What is the primary nerve supply to the pharynx?
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Which cervical vertebrae lie just behind the laryngopharynx?
Which cervical vertebrae lie just behind the laryngopharynx?
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Which arteries significantly contribute to the arterial supply of the pharynx?
Which arteries significantly contribute to the arterial supply of the pharynx?
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What could be a serious consequence of improperly removing food particles from the piriform fossa?
What could be a serious consequence of improperly removing food particles from the piriform fossa?
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Which landmarks form the inlet of the larynx?
Which landmarks form the inlet of the larynx?
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What is the venous drainage of the pharynx primarily associated with?
What is the venous drainage of the pharynx primarily associated with?
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The medial boundary of the piriform fossa is formed by which structure?
The medial boundary of the piriform fossa is formed by which structure?
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What structures are involved in the overlapping layers of the pharyngeal wall?
What structures are involved in the overlapping layers of the pharyngeal wall?
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What effect does injury to the internal laryngeal nerve have on laryngeal function?
What effect does injury to the internal laryngeal nerve have on laryngeal function?
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Study Notes
Pharynx Anatomy
- The pharynx is a muscular tube, approximately 12 cm long, situated behind the nose, mouth, and larynx.
- Extends from the base of the skull superiorly to the level of the C6 vertebra inferiorly, where it continues with the esophagus.
- Located anterior to the upper six cervical vertebrae.
Pharynx Structure
- Walls are composed of five layers:
- Mucosa: inner lining
- Submucosa: connective tissue layer
- Pharyngobasilar fascia: thin sheet of connective tissue forming the pharyngeal raphe on the posterior aspect
- Muscular coat: containing two layers:
- Inner longitudinal layer: Stylopharyngeus, Salpingopharyngeus, Palatopharyngeus muscles
- Outer circular layer: three pharyngeal constrictor muscles
- Buccopharyngeal fascia: outer layer
Pharynx Muscles
-
Constrictor muscles:
- Superior, middle, and inferior constrictor muscles - located at the outer part of the pharynx responsible for involuntary contraction from superior to inferior.
-
Other Muscles:
- Palatopharyngeus, Stylopharyngeus, and Salpingopharyngeus - located in the inner part of the pharynx, these muscles elevate the larynx and shorten the pharynx during swallowing and speaking.
Pharynx Nerve Supply
- Stylopharyngeus muscle is supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve.
- All other muscles are supplied by the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve through the pharyngeal plexus of nerves.
- The inferior constrictor is additionally supplied by the external and recurrent laryngeal nerves.
Waldeyer's Ring
- A circular band of lymphoid tissue around the superior part of the pharynx, acting as a first line of defense against microbes entering the body via the nasal and oral routes.
- Composed of four tonsils:
- Palatine tonsils: lateral parts
- Tubal tonsils: lateral parts
- Pharyngeal tonsil: posterior and superior parts
- Lingual tonsil: anteroinferior part
Nasopharynx
- Located behind the nose and above the lower border of the soft palate.
- Lined by ciliated columnar epithelium for respiratory function.
- Rigid and non-collapsable walls ensuring patent air passage.
- Communicates with the nasal cavity through the posterior nasal apertures (choanae).
- Extends to the lower border of the soft palate.
- Communicates with the oropharynx through the pharyngeal isthmus.
- Supplied by branches of the maxillary nerve, specifically the pharyngeal branch from the pterygopalatine ganglion (V nerve).
Nasopharynx Boundaries
- Anterior: Communicates with the posterior nasal aperture.
- Roof: Posterior part of the body of the sphenoid bone, basilar part of the occipital bone (basiocciput), and anterior arch of the atlas. Contains the pharyngeal tonsil, which when pathologically enlarged is known as adenoids and can hinder nasal breathing.
- Floor/Inferiorly: Communicates with the oropharynx through the pharyngeal isthmus. Composed of the movable soft palate.
- Posterior wall: Anterior arch of the Atlas (1st cervical vertebra).
-
Lateral Wall:
- Opening of the Eustachian/Auditory tube: connects the nasopharynx to the middle ear cavity, located half an inch behind the inferior nasal concha.
- Tubal Elevation: cartilage of the auditory tube containing the tubal tonsil, which bounds the tubal opening.
- Salpingopharyngeal fold: mucosal fold from the posterior end/margin of the tubal elevation, fading towards the side wall of the pharynx, formed by the underlying salpingopharyngeal muscle.
- Pharyngeal Recess/Fossa of Rosenmuller: groove situated behind the tubal elevation and salpingopharyngeal fold. Catheters missing the tubal opening can enter this recess and potentially perforate the lateral wall of the nasopharynx, potentially reaching the internal carotid artery (ICA).
- Salpingopalantine fold: mucosal fold extending from the anterior end of the tubal elevation to the soft palate.
- Levator palati/levator veli palatini muscle: raises a fold of mucous membrane below the opening of the auditory tube, creating a triangular elevation below the opening.
Oropharynx
- Middle part of the pharynx behind the oral cavity.
- Extends from the lower border of the soft palate to the upper border of the epiglottis.
- Communicates superiorly with the nasopharynx through the pharyngeal isthmus.
- Communicates anteriorly with the oral cavity through the oropharyngeal isthmus.
- Communicates inferiorly with the laryngopharynx at the upper border of the epiglottis.
- Located in front of the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae, supported by the axis (C2) and C3 vertebra.
- Supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve.
Oropharynx Lateral Wall
- Palatoglossal fold or arch: formed by the palatoglossus muscle.
- Palatopharyngeal fold or arch: formed by the palatopharyngeus muscle.
- Palatine tonsil: located between the arches in the tonsillar fossa.
- All three constrictor muscles form the wall of the oropharynx.
Palatine Tonsil
- Located in the tonsillar fossa, in the lateral walls of the oropharynx.
- Fossa bounded anteriorly by the palatoglossal fold and posteriorly by the palatopharyngeal fold.
- Apex formed by the soft palate where the folds meet.
- Base of the fossa formed by the dorsal surface of the posterior one-third of the tongue.
Laryngopharynx
- Located behind the larynx, in front of the lower part of C3, and the 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae.
- Extends from the upper border of the epiglottis to C6 (lower border of the cricoid cartilage).
- Continues inferiorly as the esophagus.
- Supplied by branches of the vagus nerve.
Laryngopharynx Anterior Wall
- Presents the inlet of the larynx in the upper part and the posterior surfaces of the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages of the larynx in the lower part.
- The pharyngeal wall in this region is formed by the overlapping of the three constrictors.
- Piriform fossa: small depression on either side of the larynx.
Piriform Fossa
- Lateral boundary formed by the thyrohyoid membrane and lamina of the thyroid cartilage/thyrohyoid membrane.
- Medial boundary formed by the aryepiglottic fold, separating it from the inlet of the larynx.
- Internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels located deep to the mucous membrane.
- Food particles can get impacted in the fossa, and if not carefully removed, the internal laryngeal nerve can be injured.
Piriform Fossa Injury
- Injury to the internal laryngeal nerve can lead to:
- Loss of sensation (anesthesia) in the supraglottic part of the larynx.
- Loss of cough reflex, increasing risk of aspiration pneumonia and death.
Pharynx Nerve Supply
- Supplied by the pharyngeal plexus of nerves, formed by the pharyngeal branches of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and superior cervical sympathetic ganglion.
- Pharyngeal plexuses are located on the middle constrictor.
Pharynx Arterial Supply
- Ascending pharyngeal artery of the external carotid artery.
- Ascending palatine and tonsillar arteries of the facial artery.
- Palatine and pharyngeal branches of the maxillary artery.
Pharynx Venous Drainage
- Veins of the pharynx terminate at the internal jugular vein and facial vein.
Pharynx Lymphatic Drainage
- Retropharyngeal and deep cervical lymph nodes.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the anatomy and structure of the pharynx with this quiz. Explore details about its layers, muscles, and overall function within the human body. Perfect for students of anatomy or those interested in understanding more about respiratory and digestive systems.
