18 Questions
What is the primary function of the posterior, lateral, and transverse cricoarytenoid muscles in the larynx?
Opening the rima glottidis to allow passage of air
Which nerve branch is responsible for motor supply to the cricothyroid muscle?
External laryngeal branch
What is the primary function of the vocalis muscle in the larynx?
Control of tension in the vocal cords
Which of the following structures is NOT included in the lymphatic drainage of the pharynx and larynx?
Submandibular nodes
What is the function of the cricothyroid muscle in the larynx?
Tensing the vocal cords during phonation
Which of the following arteries supply the larynx?
Both superior and inferior thyroid arteries
What is the function of the sensory nerve supply to the mucous membrane above the vocal folds?
Sensation of touch and pressure
Which of the following ligaments is NOT included in the ligaments of the larynx?
Stylohyoid ligament
What are the boundaries of the pharynx?
From the cranial base to the cricoid cartilage
What structure forms the upper border of the nasopharynx?
Cranial base
What is the function of the constrictor muscles in the pharynx?
To narrow the lumen of the pharynx
What is the nerve supply of the stylopharyngeus muscle?
Glossopharyngeal nerve
What is the main sensory supply of the pharynx?
Glossopharyngeal nerve
What is the function of the longitudinal muscles in the pharynx?
To raise the pharynx and larynx during swallowing
What is the origin of the superior constrictor muscle?
Raphe between the mandible and pterygoid plate
What is the insertion of the palatopharyngeus muscle?
Posterior part of the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage
What is the wall of the pharynx composed of?
4 layers, like the digestive system
What is the blood supply of the pharynx?
Anastomosis between the ascending pharyngeal, superior and inferior thyroid, facial and maxillary arteries
Study Notes
Pharynx
- Boundaries: cranial base (upper border) to cricoid cartilage (lower border), continuous with oesophagus
- Walls:
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Muscular (5 pairs: 3 constrictors, 2 longitudinal)
- Buccopharyngeal fascia
- Pharyngeal muscles:
- Constrictors: narrow lumen to force solids/liquids down towards oesophagus
- Longitudinal: raise pharynx and larynx during swallowing
- VAN (vascular, autoimmune, nervous) of pharynx:
- Nerve supply: pharyngeal branches of vagus nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve
- Blood supply: anastomosis of ascending pharyngeal, superior and inferior thyroid, facial, and maxillary arteries
- Venous drainage: plexus on pharynx that communicates with pterygoid plexus
- Constrictor muscles:
- Superior: raphe between mandible and pterygoid plate → pharyngeal tubercle on occipital bone
- Middle: stylohyoid ligament and horns of hyoid → pharyngeal raphe
- Inferior: oblique line of thyroid and cricoid → junction between pharynx and oesophagus
- Longitudinal muscles:
- Palatopharyngeus: palatal aponeurosis → posterolateral part of pharynx, posterior part of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage
- Stylopharyngeus: styloid process → intermingle with palatopharyngeus muscle
Larynx
- Intrinsic muscles:
- Posterior
- Lateral
- Transverse cricoarytenoid
- Vocalis
- Cricothyroid
- Functions:
- Open rima glottidis to allow passage of air
- Close vestibule and rima during swallowing
- Control tension in vocal cords for phonation
- VAN of larynx:
- Nerve supply: laryngeal nerves branching from vagus
- Motor (intrinsic muscles):
- Cricothyroid: external laryngeal branches of vagus nerve
- Remainder: recurrent laryngeal branches
- Sensory:
- Mucous membrane above vocal folds: internal laryngeal branches of vagus nerve
- Area below vocal folds: recurrent laryngeal branches
- Blood supply: superior and inferior thyroid arteries
- Venous drainage: superior and inferior laryngeal veins leading to superior and inferior thyroid veins
Revision notes on the pharynx and larynx, covering their boundaries, upper and lower borders, and wall structure.
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