Pharynx

what are the layers of the pharynx

Answer explanation

mucous (inner)

submucous

pharyngo-basilar

pharyngeal muscles

buccopharyngeal (outer)

what is the origin of each of the contrictors

Answer explanation

superior: pterygomandibular ligament, pterygoid hamulus, posterior end of mylohyoid line

Middle: both horns of hyoid, stylohyoid ligament

Inferior: upper border of thyroid cartilage to lower border of cricoid

what is the insertion of the constrictors

Answer explanation

median fibrous raphe extending from pharyngeal tubercle upwards to cricoid cartilage

what is the insertion of all the pharyngeal muscles

Answer explanation

posterior border of thyroid cartilage

what is the action of all 3 pharyngeal muscles

Answer explanation

-they all elevate pharynx and larynx during deglutition

-salpingo-pharyngues also keeps eustachian tube patent because it originates from lower border of auditory tube

what is the nerve supply of the pharynx

Answer explanation

Motor: Pharyngeal plexus except the stylopharyngeus (glossopharyngeal)

Sensory: vagus, maxillary and glossopharyngeal

what are the components of the pharyngeal plexus

Answer explanation

Motor + parasympathetic:

glossopharyngeal nerve

vagus nerve

Sensory:

superior cervical sympathetic ganglion

Describe the palatine tonsils

Answer explanation

-lymph tissues surrounded by an incomplete capsule

-they lie in the tonsillar fossa

what are the relations of the palatine tonsils

Answer explanation

anterior: palatoglossus folds

posterior: palatopharyngeal fold

Medial: free side (12-15 crypts)

Lateral: superior constrictor muscle separating it from facial artery

what is the arterial supply of the palatine tonsils

Answer explanation

Main

-tonsillar branch of facial

Supporting

-ascending pharyngeal

-ascending palatine

-greater palatine