Dissection 10 - Pharynx and Larynx

Aryepiglottic folds

Extends from epiglottis to paired arytenoid cartilage

Areytenoid cartilage

“Cat ear” cartilage superior to thyroid cartilage (posterior side)

Atlanto-occipital joint

Joint between occipital condyle and superior articular facet of atlas (C1)

Epiglottic valleculae

On either side of midline in space between epiglottis and posterior tongue (food can be lodged here)

Epiglottis

What is this structure? It protects the laryngopharynx when swallowing

Genioglossus

Fan-like muscle of tongue; Involved in protrusion and depression

Glottis

R and L true vocal folds and space between them (3 in image)

Hard palate

Made up of maxilla and palatine bone (anterior to soft palate)

Inferior constrictor

Most inferior pharyngeal constrictor; Innervated by CN X

Infraglottic region

Area below vocal fold

Internal branch of superior laryngeal n.

Pierces thyrohyoid ligament and innervates supraglottic region (SS)

Laryngeal outlet

Opening into laryngopharynx between aryepiglottic folds

Laryngopharynx

Borders = Epiglottis to inferior margin of cricoid cartilage (behind larynx); Green section

Larynx

Below pharynx and above trachea (voice box)

Medial pterygoid plate

Thin, elongated bony projection that descends from the sphenoid bone as part of the pterygoid process (has the pterygoid hamulus)

Nasaopharynx

Posterior choanae → Uvula (pink portion)

Oblique arytenoid m.

F: Adduct vocal folds

Oropharynx

Soft palate → Superior end of epiglottis (blue portion)

Piriform recess

Lateral to laryngeal outlet; Common place for sharp objects to get stuck (can still talk/breath)

Groove of the vertebral a.

On surface of posterior arch of C1 where vertebral a. runs along after going through transverse foramen

Posterior cricoartyenoids

Inferior to transverse artytenoid m.; F: ABduct vocal folds

Pterygoid hamulus

Hook-like process at the inferior end of the medial pterygoid plate where tensor veli palatini hooks around

Stylopharyngeus

Pierces in between superior and middle pharyngeal constrictors; I: CN IX

Superior and middle pharyngeal constrictors

2 superior-most pharyngeal constrictors

Superior cervical ganglion

Most superior ganglion of the sympathetic trunk; Located at the base of the skull; Visible bulge

Transverse arytenoid m.

F: Adducts vocal folds; Located just deep to oblique arytenoid m.

Ventricle

Space between vestibular and true vocal folds (a step if bifurcated)

Vestibular folds

Located superior to true foldsV

Vocal folds

Located inferior to vestibular folds