Dr.

Manions Pharynx Notes:

The pharynx is a common passageway for both breathing and

swallowing.
The pharynx is divided into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and
laryngopharynx. The nasopharynx is the area just posterior to
the nasal cavities and is superior to the soft palate. (Note: When
one swallows or talks, the soft palate rises up and blocks the
nasopharynx off from the rest of the pharynx. When breathing it
is normally hanging).
The oropharynx is inferior to the soft palate, superior to the
epiglottis, and is posterior to the oral cavity.
The laryngopharynx extends from the epiglottis to the base of
the cricoid cartilage, and is posterior to the larynx.
Contents of the nasopharynx: At the roof of the nasopharynx,
one would find the pharyngeal tonsils (paired). The opening of
the auditory tube is also found in this portion of the pharynx and
is surrounded by a cartilaginous structure known as the tubal
torus.
Contents of the oropharynx: The major structure here is the
palatine tonsil. They are paired (one on each side).
There are three muscles associated with the posterior and lateral
sides of the pharynx called the superior, middle, and inferior
constrictor muscles. Posteriorly they attach to the raphe that
itself is attached to the pharyngeal tubercle which is associated
with the clivus of the occipital bone. These muscles constrict
during swallowing and is innervated by the vagus nerve (CNX)
Anteriorly, the superior constictor muscle attaches to the
pterygomandibular raphe which extends from the inferior portion
of the lateral pterygoid plate down to the mandible. (NOTE: THIS
RAPHE IS THE ORIGIN OF THE BUCCINATOR MUSCLE)
Anteriorly, the middle constrictor muscle is attached to the hyoid
bone and the inferior constrictor muscle is attached to the
thyroid cartilage.
THE ONLY MUSCLE IN THE HUMAN BODY INNVERVATED BY
THE GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL NERVE IS THE
STYLOPHARYNGEUS MUSCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Elevates the
pharynx)
The pharynogbasilar membrane covers the space between the
superior border of the superior constrictor up to the base of the
skull.
The opening into the larynx is called the aditus of the
larynx. The folds around that opening are called the
aryepiglottic folds.

The piriform recess is a pocket to which foreign particles, such as

food, often gets trapped.
The salpingopharyngeal fold is located in the nasopharynx and is
attached to that tubal torus. The interesting thing about this fold
is that it contains muscles (salpingopharyngeus muscles,
innervated by the vagus nerve) within it that can help unclog
the auditory canal upon swallowing. (I AM THINKING HE MAY
HAVE SOME SORT OF CLINICAL SCENARIO ABOUT THIS....
MAYBE )
Three muscles that help in elevating the pharynx are:
salpingopharyngeus (CNX), palatopharyngeus (CNX), and
stylohyoid (CNVII) muscles.
Three nerves come out of the jugular foramen that can be seen
associated with the pharynx posteriorly: vagus, spinal accessory
(CNXI), and the glossopharyngeal nerve (innervates what
muscle?) Of course one would also find the internal jugular vein
which just so happens to ORIGINATE AT THE MOUTH of the
jugular foramen.
THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE PHARYNX IS FROM THE
ASCENDING PHARYNGEAL ARTERY (BRANCH OF THE
EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY) AND PHARYNGEAL
BRANCHES OF THE INFERIOR THYROID ARTERY.
Sensory innervation to the pharynx is primarily from the
glossopharyngeal nerve.
THE GAG REFLEX IS PRIMARILY GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL NERVE AS
WELL.