The Pharynx & Nasal Cavity

Between which bony landmarks does the pharynx extend?

Extends from the base of the skull to the level of the cricoid cartilage and C6 vertebra

What is the relationship of the pharynx to the nasal cavity?

posterior to the nasal cavity, oral cavity and larynx.

The muscles of the pharynx develop from which branchial arch?

Branchial arches 3 (stylopharyngeus), 4 & 6 (all other pharyngeal muscles)

Describe the two layers of the muscular layer of the pharynx.

outer circular layer and inner longitudinal layer

What space is immediately posterior to the pharynx?

retropharyngeal space

From the internal pharynx, name the 5 layers of the pharyngeal wall.

1. mucosa

2. submucosa

3. pharyngobasilar fascia

4. muscularis

5. buccopharyngeal fascia

The muscularis layer of the pharynx lies between which two fascias?

pharyngobasilar fascia and buccopharyngeal fascia

Name the 3 muscles of the outer circular layer.

superior, middle, and inferior constrictors

Name the 3 muscles of the inner longitudinal layer.

salpingopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus, and stylopharyngeus

What is the median pharyngeal raphae?

midline tendinous attachment for the constrictor muscles

The muscles of the pharynx (with 1 exception) are innervated by what nerve structure?

BM fibers from CN XI via X (except stylopharyngeus)

What is the general function of the muscles of the inner longitudinal layer?

elevate the pharynx & larynx during speaking & swallowing

Where is the pharyngeal plexus?

a visceral nerve plexus which is located in the buccopharyngeal fascia.

The pharyngeal plexus contains what nerve fiber types (functional components)?

VA, VE, and BM fibers

Which muscle of the inner longitudinal layer is innervated by CN IX?

stylopharyngeus

1. Name the 3 regions of the internal pharynx.

nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx

What are the 2 landmarks that divide the internal pharynx into 3 regions?

Soft palate and epiglottis

What bone forms the roof of the nasopharynx? And which tonsils are found there?

sphenoid bone forms the roof, where you can find pharyngeal tonsils

The auditory tube opening in the nasopharynx is a tunnel that leads to what cavity?

middle ear cavity

The tonsillar bed is located in which region of the internal pharynx?

oropharynx

Which two arches help to form the tonsillar bed?

palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arch

What large structure forms the anterior wall of the oropharynx?

posterior 1/3rd of the tongue

Which cranial nerve travels deep in the base of the tonsillar bed and where is it going?

CN IX travels through the base of the tonsilar bed as it courses to the posterior 1/3rd of the tongue

Where is the laryngopharynx?

inferior to the epiglottis

Small bones or dental instruments/materials may become caught in which part of the laryngopharynx?

piriform recess

Which region of the internal pharynx is supplied by both VA and SA fibers?

nasopharynx:-

SA from V2

VA from CN IX

Which cranial nerve supplies the majority of VA fibers to the laryngopharynx?

CN X

Which cranial nerve supplies the majority of VA fibers to the oropharynx?

CN IX

Which cranial nerve supplies SA fibers to the superior ½ of the nasopharynx?

V2

Name the nerve that supplies the VE-para/post fibers to the superior ½ of the nasopharynx? Where are the cell bodies located for these para/post fibers?

pharyngeal br of the pterygopalatine ganglion

Which cranial nerve supplies VE-para/pre fibers to the inferior ½ of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx? Where are the VE-para/post cell bodies that these fibers synapse on?

CN X, whose cell bodies synase on VE-para/post cell bodies in the submucosa

Explain the terms "nasal cavity" and "nasal cavities."

The nasal aperture is the opening on to the face of the nasal cavity. The nasal septum, in the midline, subdivides the nasal cavity into right & left nasal cavities.

What part of the pharynx is immediately posterior to the nasal cavity?

nasopharynx

Name the 3 bony/cartilaginous elements of the nasal septum.

1. superiorly - the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone

2. inferiorly & posteriorly - the vomer

3. anteriorly - the septal cartilage

Name the 4 nerves that innervate the nasal septum.

1. CN I (SS)

2. ant. ethmoidal n.

3. nasopalatine n.

4. infraorbital br.

Name the 4 major arteries that supply the nasal septum.

1. ant. ethmoidal a.

2. post. ethmoidal a.

3. sphenopalatine a.

4. lateral nasal br. of facial a.

What is and where is Kiessel bach's Area?

An area of anastomosis for the 4 main arteries that supply the septum.

It is located anteriorly along the septum

Which two conchae are part of the ethmoid bone?

superior and middle conchae

Are the conchae a feature of the lateral nasal wall or nasal septum?

Lateral nasal wall

What is a meatus?

Space between conchae and lateral nasal wall. In Latin, it means "passage".

Name the 4 major arteries that supply the lateral nasal wall.

1. ant. ethmoidal a.

2. post. ethmoidal a.

3. sphenopalatine a.

4. lateral nasal a.

Which of these arteries is a continuation of the maxillary a.?

sphenopalatine a.

Which of these arteries originate from the ophthalmic a.?

anterior & posterior ethmoidal a.

Which of these arteries is a branch of the facial a.?

lateral nasal a.

Name the 5 nerves that innervate the lateral nasal wall.

1. ant. ethmoidal n.

2. olfactory n. (CN I)

3. post. superior nasal ns.

4. post. inferior nasal n.

5. br. of infraorbital n.

What is a paranasal sinus?

air-filled, mucosa-lined chambers that are located around and connected to the nasal cavity

Do all the paranasal sinuses drain into the nasal cavity?

Yes

Name the condition that describes inflammation of a sinus.

sinusitis

What is the relationship between the maxillary sinus and the teeth?

the maxillary sinus is just above the roots of the maxillary teeth

Which 4 bones contain the paranasal sinuses?

- frontal sinus (frontal bone)

- sphenoidal sinus (sphenoid)

- ethmoidal air cells (ethmoid)

- maxillary sinus (maxilla)

The sphenoidal sinus drains into which space?

sphenoethmoidal recess

Which sinuses drain through the infundibulum and into the middle meatus?

frontal sinus & anterior ethmoidal air cells

Which sinus drains through the hiatus semilunaris and into the middle meatus?

maxillary sinus

Which sinus drains through the ethmoidal bulla and into the middle meatus?

middle ethmoidal air cells

Which sinus drains into the superior meatus?

posterior ethmoidal air cells

The nasolacrimal duct drains into which meatus?

inferior meatus