Nasopharynx Flashcards

Examine the nasopharynx, its anatomical boundaries, auditory tube openings, mucosal folds, tonsils, vascular supply, and innervation.

Card 1 of 28Question

What is the nasopharynx?

The superior division of the pharynx, functioning primarily as an airway.

In This Section

1. What is the nasopharynx?

The superior division of the pharynx, functioning primarily as an airway.

2. Where is the nasopharynx located?

Posterior to the nasal cavities and superior to the soft palate.

3. What forms the superior boundary of the nasopharynx?

The skull base, primarily the body of the sphenoid and basilar part of the occipital bone.

4. What forms the inferior boundary of the nasopharynx?

The soft palate, which separates it from the oropharynx during swallowing.

5. Which openings connect the nasal cavities to the nasopharynx?

The paired posterior nasal apertures, also called choanae.

6. What forms the medial boundary of each choana?

The posterior border of the vomer.

7. Which structures open into the lateral walls of the nasopharynx?

The pharyngeal openings of the auditory (pharyngotympanic) tubes.

8. What is the primary function of the auditory tubes?

To equalize air pressure between the middle ear cavities and the nasopharynx.

9. What is the torus tubarius?

A mucosal elevation formed by the cartilage surrounding the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube.

10. What is the pharyngeal recess of Rosenmuller?

A deep recess situated posterior to the torus tubarius on the lateral nasopharyngeal wall.

11. What is the clinical significance of the pharyngeal recess?

It is a common site of origin of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

12. What is the salpingopharyngeal fold?

A vertical mucosal fold descending from the torus tubarius over the salpingopharyngeus muscle.

13. What is the function of the salpingopharyngeus muscle?

It elevates the pharynx during swallowing and may assist auditory tube opening.

14. Which muscle is the principal active opener of the auditory tube?

The tensor veli palatini muscle.

15. Where is the pharyngeal tonsil located?

In the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx.

16. What are adenoids?

The pharyngeal tonsil, especially when enlarged or hypertrophied.

17. Which tonsils surround the pharyngeal openings of the auditory tubes?

The tubal tonsils.

18. What type of epithelium predominantly lines the nasopharynx?

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells.

19. Which cranial nerve provides the principal sensory innervation to the nasopharynx?

The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V2).

20. Through which branch does the maxillary nerve supply the nasopharyngeal mucosa?

The pharyngeal branch associated with the pterygopalatine ganglion.

21. Which cranial nerve supplies the salpingopharyngeus muscle?

The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) through the pharyngeal plexus.

22. Which arteries contribute to the blood supply of the nasopharynx?

Branches of the ascending pharyngeal, maxillary, and facial arteries.

23. Where does venous blood from the nasopharynx drain?

Into the pharyngeal venous plexus, with connections to the pterygoid venous plexus.

24. Which lymph nodes primarily receive lymphatic drainage from the nasopharynx?

The retropharyngeal and upper deep cervical lymph nodes.

25. What is Passavant's ridge?

A variable transverse elevation of the posterior pharyngeal wall that may assist velopharyngeal closure.

26. What prevents food and liquid from entering the nasopharynx during swallowing?

Elevation of the soft palate against the posterior and lateral pharyngeal walls.

27. What is the clinical consequence of enlarged adenoids obstructing the auditory tube openings?

Impaired middle ear ventilation, potentially causing otitis media with effusion.

28. What is the pharyngeal isthmus?

The opening between the nasopharynx and oropharynx that is closed during swallowing.