Laryngopharynx Flashcards

Review the laryngopharynx through its anatomical boundaries, piriform recesses, muscular relationships, nerve supply, and role in swallowing.

Card 1 of 25Question

What is the laryngopharynx?

The inferior division of the pharynx, forming a common passage for air and food.

In This Section

1. What is the laryngopharynx?

The inferior division of the pharynx, forming a common passage for air and food.

2. Where is the laryngopharynx located?

Posterior to the larynx and inferior to the oropharynx.

3. What marks the superior boundary of the laryngopharynx?

The superior border of the epiglottis, approximately at the level of the hyoid bone.

4. What marks the inferior boundary of the laryngopharynx?

The inferior border of the cricoid cartilage, approximately at the sixth cervical vertebra (C6).

5. Which digestive structure continues inferiorly from the laryngopharynx?

The esophagus.

6. Through which opening does the laryngopharynx communicate with the larynx?

The laryngeal inlet, also called the aditus laryngis.

7. What are the piriform recesses?

Paired mucosal depressions in the laryngopharynx lateral to the laryngeal inlet.

8. What forms the medial boundary of each piriform recess?

The aryepiglottic fold.

9. What structures form the lateral boundary of each piriform recess?

The thyroid cartilage and thyrohyoid membrane.

10. What is the functional significance of the piriform recesses during swallowing?

They channel swallowed material around the laryngeal inlet toward the esophagus.

11. Which nerve lies immediately deep to the mucosa of the piriform recess?

The internal laryngeal nerve, accompanied by the superior laryngeal vessels.

12. Which cranial nerve provides most sensory innervation to the laryngopharynx?

The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X), mainly through its internal laryngeal branch.

13. Which nerve supplies the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle?

The vagus nerve through branches of the pharyngeal plexus and laryngeal nerves.

14. What are the two parts of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor?

The thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus parts.

15. From which structure does the thyropharyngeus primarily arise?

The oblique line of the thyroid cartilage.

16. From which structure does the cricopharyngeus arise?

The lateral surface of the cricoid cartilage.

17. What is the principal function of the cricopharyngeus muscle?

It maintains upper esophageal sphincter closure at rest and relaxes during swallowing.

18. What is Killian's dehiscence?

A relatively weak area between the thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus parts of the inferior constrictor.

19. Which pharyngeal diverticulum commonly develops through Killian's dehiscence?

Zenker diverticulum, a pulsion diverticulum arising posteriorly near the pharyngoesophageal junction.

20. Which artery provides an important contribution to the blood supply of the inferior laryngopharynx?

The inferior thyroid artery, a branch of the thyrocervical trunk.

21. Where does venous blood from the laryngopharynx primarily drain?

Through the pharyngeal venous plexus into the internal jugular venous system.

22. Which lymph nodes receive lymphatic drainage from the laryngopharynx?

Primarily the deep cervical lymph nodes, including the upper and lower jugular groups.

23. What type of epithelium lines most of the laryngopharynx?

Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

24. What closes the laryngeal inlet during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?

Laryngeal elevation and aryepiglottic approximation, assisted by epiglottic movement.

25. What is the clinical significance of the piriform recesses?

They are common sites for lodged foreign bodies that may injure the internal laryngeal nerve.