Pharynx and Larynx Lecture

Question-and-answer flashcards covering anatomy, function, muscles, innervation, and vascular supply of the pharynx and larynx.

What are the three subdivisions of the pharynx and where is each located?

Nasopharynx (posterior to nasal cavity, above soft palate); Oropharynx (posterior to oral cavity); Laryngopharynx (posterior to larynx, communicating with esophagus).

Which part of the pharynx is dedicated mainly to respiration?

The nasopharynx.

Which pharyngeal region allows passage of both air and food?

The oropharynx.

Which pharyngeal region lies posterior to the larynx and opens into the esophagus?

The laryngopharynx.

Name the three mucosal folds visible on the posterior pharyngeal wall.

Salpingopharyngeal, palatoglossal, and palatopharyngeal folds.

Which muscle forms the underlying structure of the palatoglossal fold?

The palatoglossus muscle.

Which muscle underlies the palatopharyngeal fold?

The palatopharyngeus muscle.

Where is the palatine tonsil located?

In the tonsillar fossa between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches.

Why is a tonsillectomy prone to significant bleeding?

Because of the rich palatine arterial and venous plexus surrounding the palatine tonsil.

Which nerve passes between the superior and middle constrictors to reach the posterior third of the tongue?

The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).

What is the primary function of the three pharyngeal constrictor muscles?

To constrict the pharynx during swallowing, propelling food toward the esophagus.

From which structures does the superior pharyngeal constrictor arise?

The pterygoid hamulus and the pterygomandibular raphe.

The middle pharyngeal constrictor originates from which bone?

The hyoid bone.

The inferior pharyngeal constrictor originates from which cartilages?

The thyroid and cricoid cartilages.

Name the three longitudinal muscles that elevate the pharynx during swallowing.

Palatopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus, and stylopharyngeus.

Which longitudinal pharyngeal muscle is not innervated by the vagus nerve and what nerve supplies it?

Stylopharyngeus; it is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).

How many cartilages form the larynx, and what is its common nickname?

Nine cartilages; it is commonly called the "voice box."

What is the name of the maneuver that closes the vocal folds to raise thoraco-abdominal pressure during lifting, defecation, or childbirth?

The Valsalva maneuver (glottal close).

Which cartilage forms the "Adam’s apple"?

The thyroid cartilage.

Which laryngeal cartilage is the only complete ring around the airway?

The cricoid cartilage.

Name the two processes of the arytenoid cartilage and what attaches to each.

Vocal process (attachment of the vocal ligament) and muscular process (attachment of intrinsic laryngeal muscles).

What is the primary role of the epiglottis during swallowing?

It folds down to close the laryngeal inlet, preventing food or drink from entering the airway.

Which membrane connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone?

The thyrohyoid membrane.

Which laryngeal ligament is incised during an emergency cricothyrotomy?

The cricothyroid ligament.

When covered with mucosa, what does the vocal ligament form?

The true vocal fold.

Which ligament forms the false vocal fold when covered with mucosa?

The vestibular ligament (free lower edge of the quadrangular membrane).

What is the name of the laryngeal cavity above the vestibular (false vocal) folds?

The vestibule.

What is the space between the vestibular and true vocal folds called?

The ventricle of the larynx.

What is the region below the true vocal folds called?

The infraglottic cavity.

What term describes the opening between the right and left true vocal folds?

The rima glottidis.

Which intrinsic muscle maintains tension in the vocal ligament when the thyroid cartilage moves?

The vocalis muscle.

Which intrinsic laryngeal muscle lengthens and tenses the vocal folds to raise pitch, and how is it innervated?

The cricothyroid muscle; innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

Which muscle shortens and relaxes the vocal folds, producing a deeper voice?

The thyroarytenoid muscle.

What is the only abductor of the vocal folds?

The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

Which muscles adduct the vocal folds?

The lateral cricoarytenoid and arytenoideus (transverse and oblique) muscles.

Which nerve supplies all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid?

The inferior (recurrent) laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve.

Which nerve provides sensory innervation above the true vocal folds?

The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

Which arteries supply the larynx above and below the true vocal folds, respectively?

Above: superior laryngeal artery (branch of superior thyroid); Below: inferior laryngeal artery (branch of inferior thyroid).

Which thickened superior margin of the quadrangular membrane forms the aryepiglottic fold when covered by mucosa?

The aryepiglottic ligament.