Pharynx Flashcards

Explore the anatomy of the pharynx, including its three regions, muscular walls, innervation, blood supply, and swallowing functions.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the pharynx?

A fibromuscular passage shared by the respiratory and digestive systems.

In This Section

1. What is the pharynx?

A fibromuscular passage shared by the respiratory and digestive systems.

2. What are the three anatomical divisions of the pharynx?

Nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

3. At what vertebral level does the pharynx begin?

At the base of the skull, approximately at the level of the first cervical vertebra (C1).

4. At what vertebral level does the pharynx continue as the esophagus?

At the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage, approximately C6.

5. Where is the nasopharynx located?

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

6. Where is the oropharynx located?

Posterior to the oral cavity, extending from the soft palate to the superior border of the epiglottis.

7. Where is the laryngopharynx located?

Posterior to the larynx, extending from the epiglottis to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage.

8. Which pharyngeal region functions exclusively as an air passage?

The nasopharynx.

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

The posterior nasal apertures, also called choanae.

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

The pharyngeal openings of the auditory (pharyngotympanic) tubes.

11. Where is the pharyngeal tonsil located?

In the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx.

12. Where are the palatine tonsils located?

In the tonsillar fossae between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches.

13. What are the three paired pharyngeal constrictor muscles?

Superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictors.

14. What is the primary action of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles?

They sequentially constrict the pharyngeal wall to propel a food bolus toward the esophagus.

15. Which three paired muscles form the longitudinal muscle group of the pharynx?

Stylopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus, and palatopharyngeus.

16. What is the principal action of the longitudinal pharyngeal muscles?

They elevate and shorten the pharynx during swallowing.

17. Which cranial nerve supplies most pharyngeal muscles?

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

18. Which pharyngeal muscle receives motor innervation from the glossopharyngeal nerve?

The stylopharyngeus muscle.

19. Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the nasopharynx?

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

20. Which cranial nerve provides general sensory innervation to most of the oropharynx?

The glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX).

21. Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the laryngopharynx?

The internal laryngeal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, from the vagus nerve.

22. Which arteries provide the principal blood supply to the pharynx?

The ascending pharyngeal artery and branches of the facial, maxillary, and thyroid arteries.

23. Where does venous blood from the pharyngeal venous plexus primarily drain?

Into the internal jugular vein.

24. Which lymph nodes receive much of the lymphatic drainage from the pharynx?

The retropharyngeal and deep cervical lymph nodes.

25. What is the pharyngobasilar fascia?

A fibrous layer forming the internal supporting framework of the pharyngeal wall.

26. What is the buccopharyngeal fascia?

The external fascial covering of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles.

27. Which anatomical space lies immediately posterior to the pharynx?

The retropharyngeal space.

28. What forms the upper esophageal sphincter at the pharyngoesophageal junction?

Primarily the cricopharyngeus muscle, part of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor.

29. What is the piriform recess?

A mucosal recess in the laryngopharynx lateral to the laryngeal inlet.

30. Which nerves are at risk during removal of a foreign body lodged in the piriform recess?

The internal laryngeal nerve and accompanying superior laryngeal vessels beneath the mucosa.