nasopharynx
- most superior portion of pharynx
- space above soft palate
- posterior boundary: pharyngeal protuberance
- anterior boundary: nasaal chonae (openings between nasal cavity and nasopharynx)
- lateral wall contains orifice of eustachian tube
oropharynx
- middle portion of pharynx
- inferior to velum (soft palate)
- posterior to fauces (palatopharyngeus muscle)
- superior to level of hyoid bone
- behind oral cavity
laryngopharynx/hypopharynx
- most inferior portion of pharynx
- below level of hyoid bone
- superior to esophagus
- “behind the larynx”
- “bound anteriorly by epiglottis”
- *laryngeal vestibule is larynx NOT laryngopharynx
pharyngeal function
- passage for air during respiration
- passage for food/liquid
- shapes sounds of speech
superior pharyngeal constrictor
origin: projects back from pterygomandibular raphe
insertion: median pharyngeal raphe
- forms sides & back wall of nasopharynx
- part of posterior wall of oropharynx
innervation: CN X + XI
pterygomandibular raphe
- thin band consisting of interlacing tendinous fibers from central part of buccinator anteriorly and pterygopharyngeal part of superior constrictor posteriorly
- descends from medial pterygoid plate to posterior end of mylohyoid in mandible
- covered in mucous
median pharyngeal raphe
- median fibrous band
- found on posterior aspect of pharynx
- inferiorly, blends with circular muscular fibers of esophagus
- superiorly it is attached to the pharyngeal tubercle of the occipital bone
function of superior pharyngeal constrictor
- constriction of upper pharynx
- assists in velopharyngeal seal
- speech: oral and nasal consonants
- swallow: prevention of nasal regurgitation
middle pharyngeal constrictor
origin: horns of hyoid bone and stylohyoid ligament
insertion: median pharyngeal raphe
innervation: CN X + XI
function: narrows pharyngeal diameter
inferior pharyngeal constrictor
two parts:
cricopharyngeus & thyropharyngeus
thyropharyngeus
origin: lateral surface of cricoid cartilage, inferior cornu
insertion: pharyngeal raphe
innervation: X
function: assist in swallowing
cricopharyngeus
origin: lateral surface of arch of cricoid cartilage
insertion: inferior fibers blend with esophageal fibers
innervation: X
function: vital protection function
- maintains tone to stay closed
- second line of defense against gastroesophageal reflix
- during swallow, relaxes and is pulled open to permit food/liquid to esophageus
* SPHINCTER
- upper esophageal sphincter UES
- pharyngo-esophageal segment PES
salpingopharyngeus
origin: cartilaginous end of eustachian tube
insertion: palatopharyngeus muscle
innervation: X + XI
function: elevates pharynx, produve salpingopharyngeal fold
stylopharyngeus
origin: styloid process of temporal bone
insertion: constrictor muscles, thyroid cartilage
innervation: CN IX
function: elevates & dialates pharynx
