Pharynx and Swallowing

Flashcards about the Pharynx and Swallowing lecture

Nasopharynx

Immediately posterior to the nasal cavities.

Oropharynx

Immediately posterior to the oral cavity.

Laryngopharynx

Immediately posterior to the larynx.

Eustachian tube (internal auditory tube)

Opens into the nasopharynx and aerates the middle ear.

Posterior boundary of the nasopharynx

Pharyngeal protuberance of occipital bone.

Anterior boundary of the nasopharynx

Nasal conchae.

Lateral part of the nasopharynx

Contains the pharyngotympanic (Eustachian tube) orifice.

Oropharyngeal isthmus (Fauces)

Passageway between the oral cavity and the oropharynx.

Velopharyngeal port

Opening between the oropharynx and nasopharynx.

Anterior boundary of the laryngopharynx

Epiglottis.

Posterior boundary of the laryngopharynx

Oesophagus.

Thyroid Gland

Butterfly-shaped gland located in the anterior neck region, anterior to the trachea and inferior to the larynx.

Isthmus

Midline tissue mass connecting the two lateral lobes of the thyroid gland.

Endocrine System

Hormone system of the body; includes glands that secrete hormones.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that circulate in the blood and regulate various bodily functions.

Thyroid Hormones

T3 and T4; regulate metabolism and have diverse effects on the body.

Parathyroid Glands

Adjacent to the thyroid gland; important for blood calcium levels.

What is the pharyngeal cavity, or pharynx, divided up into?

• Nasopharynx (which lied immediately posterior to the nasal cavities)
• Oropharynx (which lies immediately posterior to the oral cavity)
• Laryngopharynx (which lies immediately posterior to the larynx)

When does the nasopharynx become the oropharynx

The nasopharynx ends once it reaches C6 after that it becomes the oropharynx

What is the function of the nasopharynx?

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• Common route for air and food

What are the boundaries of the nasopharynx?

Posteriorly – Pharyngeal protuberance of occipital bone
Anteriorly – Nasal conchae
Laterally contains - pharyngotympanic (Eustachian tube) orifice

Name this part

What is the boundary of the oropharynx?

Anterior – Oropharyngeal isthmus (Fauces)
= Passageway between the oral cavity and the oropharynx
(Passage between mouth and oropharynx)
Superior – Velum (soft palate)
Posterior – Hyoid bone

What is the function of the orphopharynx?

Processed food (bolus) will move into, From the oral cavity

Where is the Velopharyngeal port opening located?

Velopharyngeal port - Opening between the oropharynx and nasopharynx

What are the boundaries of the Laryngopharynx

Anteriorly – Epiglottis
Posteriorly – Oesophagus

What are the 2 lateral lobes of the thyroid gland connected by:

It has 2 lateral lobes connected by a midline tissue mass called the isthmus.

Where is the thyroid gland located?

The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped and is located in the anterior neck region, just anterior to the trachea and just inferior to the larynx.

What are the 2 hormones that the thyroid produces?

The thyroid gland produces 2 types of thyroid hormones: T3 and T4. The main functions of the thyroid hormones are in metabolism, but it has many diverse effects on the systems of the body

What is an Underactive thyroid?

deepening of the voice through thickening of the vocal cords though deposition of mucopolysaccharide

What is the thyroid gland attached too?

Attached to the arch of the cricoid

Where are the thyroid glands

Lies deep the infrahyoid muscles

What is the arrow pointing too?

Parathyroid Gland

How many parathyroid glands are there usually?

Typically 4 parathyroid glands.

What is the function of the parathyroid gland?

Functions to regulate blood and skeletal calcium levels

Where are the parathyroid glands and what colour are they usually?

The parathyroid glands as their name suggests are adjacent to the thyroid gland. They are tiny yellow/brown tissue glands that lie on the posterior side of the thyroid gland

What are the hormones produced by the parathyroid glands important for?

The hormones produced by these glands are important for blood calcium levels. If these are not controlled precisely there are effects on nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction and blood clotting - making these hormones is vital