Pharynx / Larynx

Pharynx

Musculofascial tube
Incomplete anteriorly
Extends from base of skull to the oesophagus
Components
- Nasopharynx: lying behind nasal fossae and above soft palate
- Oropharynx: behind anterior pillars of the fauces
- Laryngopharynx: lying behind the larynx

Region	Important Structures	Clinical relevance
Nasopharynx	Lies above soft palate (cut off from rest of pharynx during deglutition) Adenoid (nasopharyngeal tonsils) - forms waldeyer's ring with palatine tonsils, tongue lymph nodes Orifice of eustachian tube lies on canal on side-wall of nasopharynx	Eustachian tube = route of potential sepsis to middle ear Adenoids prominent in children
Oropharynx	Lies behind mouth and tongue Extends from uvula to soft palate Palatine tonsils (lymphoid tissue) - blood supply = tonsillar branch of facial artery	Tonsillectomy carried out by dissection or by guillotine
Laryngopharynx	Extends from tip of epiglottis to termination of pharynx in oesophagus at level of C6 3 pharyngeal constrictors: attached anteriorly to side wall of cavities, inserts into median raphe Blood supply: superior thyroid, ascending pharyngeal (br external carotid) Nerve supply: IX, X (sensory + motor supply)	Deglutition - initiated by voluntary action, completed by involuntary reflex (deglutition centre of medulla): food crushed by mastication, lubricated by saliva, bolus pushed to back of throat by tongue against the palate; nasopharynx closed Pharyngeal pouch: - inferior constrictor made up of upper oblique and lower transverse part (thyro- and crico- pharyngeus) leaving a gap Killian's dehiscence which allows mucosa/submucosa of pharynx to bulge - results in dysphagia/spillage of contents into lungs

Larynx

Structures
- Epiglottis
- Thyroid cartilage
- Cricoid cartilage
- Arytenoids
Function
- Open valve of respiration
- Protects trachea and bronchial tree during deglutition
- Coughing

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