Anatomy (Internal Organs+Glands) · MU Sofia

59. Pharynx.

Covers the pharynx as a muscular tube shared by the respiratory and digestive tracts, its extent from the skull to the C6 level, and its division into nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx. Each region's contents are listed, including the auditory tube opening, tonsils and the valleculae. The note then describes the four wall layers, the blood supply from the external carotid and facial arteries, and the sensory and motor innervation of each region.

Inside: 7 sections · 2 labelled pictures · 10 flashcards · 2 min

Topic 7 of 44 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Anatomy (Internal Organs+Glands) (Medicine, Years 1 and 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 7 sections, about 271 words (2 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 :

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 :

  • Aproximately 2-3cm wide and 3-4cm 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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