Pharynx And Palate Question And Answers

Pharynx And Palate

Question 1. Describe the pharynx under the following headings:

1. Pharynx Parts,
2. Pharynx Structure,
3. Pharynx Muscles and
4. Pharynx Nerve supply.
   

Answer.

The pharynx is funnel-shaped muscular tube situated behind the nose, mouth and larynx.

Parts of pharynx The pharynx is subdivided into three parts:

• The nasopharynx, lying behind the nose.
• Oropharynx, lying behind the mouth.
• Laryngopharynx, lying behind the larynx.

Pharynx Anatomy

Pharynx Functions

• The nasopharynx provides passage to air only.
• The oropharynx provides passage to both air and food.
• The laryngopharynx provides passage to air only.

Structure of pharynx The pharyngeal wall consists of four layers. From within to outwards these are as follows:

• Mucosa
• Pharyngobasilar fascia
• Muscular coat
• Buccopharyngeal fascia

Pharynx Anatomy

Muscles of pharynx

Three pairs of constrictors (forming outer circular layer of muscle coat):

• Superior constrictor
• Middle constrictor
• Inferior constrictor

Three pairs of longitudinal muscles (forming an inner longitudinal layer of muscular coat):

• Stylopharyngeus
• Palatopharyngeus
• Salpingopharyngeus

Pharynx Nerve supply

Motor: All the muscles of the pharynx are supplied by the cranial root of the accessory nerve (CN 11) via the pharyngeal plexus, except the stylopharyngeus which is supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN 9).

Sensory:

• Glossopharyngeal nerve
• Internal laryngeal nerve

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