Anatomy Bones and Muscles · MU Pleven

51. Pharynx

Covers the pharynx as a muscular tube linking the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx and oesophagus, and its division into nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx with the structures in each. It then goes through the four wall layers, the blood supply and the sensory and motor innervation, and closes with the constrictor and longitudinal muscles, shown in two tables giving origin, insertion, innervation and function.

Inside: 8 sections · 3 labelled pictures · 2 tables · 10 flashcards · 3 min

Topic 50 of 236 in the MU Pleven syllabus for Anatomy Bones and Muscles (Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 8 sections, about 273 words (3 min of reading), with 10 flashcards.

In this note

  1. PHARYNX
  2. Nasopharynx :
  3. The oropharynx
  4. The laryngopharynx :
  5. Layers of the pharynx :
  6. Blood Supply
  7. Innervation :
  8. Muscles of the Pharynx :

PHARYNX

  • The pharynx is a muscular tube that connects the oral & nasal cavity to the larynx and oesophagus
  • Extends from the skull down to the level of C₆ vertebra
  • It acts as respiratory & digestive tube.
  • It is divided into 3 parts :
  1. 1. Nasopharynx - behind the nasal cavity
  2. 2. Oropharynx - " " oral cavity
  3. 3. Laryngopharynx - behind the larynx

Nasopharynx :

  • Approximately 2-3cm wide and 3-4 cm long.
  • contains :
  1. 1. Opening of the auditory tube.
  2. 2. Tubal elevation & fold
  3. 3. Pharyngeal recess
  4. 4. Pharyngeal tonsils.

The oropharynx

  • contains :
  1. 1. Palato-glossal fold
  2. 2. Palato-pharyngeal fold
  3. 3. Palatine tonsils.

The laryngopharynx :

  • Contains :
  1. 1. Valleculae : depressions formed btw. midline mucosal fold and 2 lateral folds that connect the tongue to the epiglottis.

Layers of the pharynx :

1. Buccopharyngeal fascia

  • It is the outermost layer.
  • thin , covering the external surface of muscle
  • Forwards : it covers the buccinator m. Backwards : contact with the prevertebral fascia

2. Muscle Coat : (next page)

3. Pharyngo-basilar fascia

  • It lies the inner surface of the muscle coat.
  • It formes a ridge wall for the nasopharynx to keep it permanently open.
  • It is attached superiorly to bones of the skull (occipital & temporal bones) And posteriorly to the pharyngeal raphe

4. The mucosa :

  • Is the innermost layer of the pharynx.

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