Pharynx Structure
This part of the digestive and respiratory system is about 12 cm in length, extending from the base of the skull inferiorly to the cricoid cartilage.
What is the pharynx?
This is the largest cartilage of the larynx, composed of two flat plates that fuse anteriorly to form the laryngeal prominence, or Adam’s apple.
What is the thyroid cartilage?
This division of the pharynx is located posterior to the nasal cavity and opens to it at the choanae.
What is the nasopharynx?
These horizontal folds of mucous membrane are also known as the vestibular folds and are not involved in voice production.
What are the false vocal folds?
Besides acting as a valve and maintaining an open air passage, this is the third main function of the larynx.
What is vocalization?
The pharynx has openings that allow it to be continuous with this total number of surrounding cavities, including two nasal cavities and the esophagus.
What is seven?
This cartilage forms a complete ring, similar in shape to a signet ring, with a flat posterior plate called the lamina and a narrow anterior part called the arch.
What is the cricoid cartilage?
This division of the pharynx extends from the upper border of the epiglottis to the cricoid cartilage, where it becomes continuous with the esophagus.
What is the laryngopharynx (or hypopharynx)?
This space represents the narrowest part of the laryngeal cavity and lies between the two true vocal folds.
What is the rima glottidis?
The majority of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx are supplied by this nerve, which begins in the thorax and loops around either the subclavian artery or the aorta.
What is the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
The lateral wall of the nasopharynx features the opening of this tube, which connects the tympanic cavity of the middle ear with the nasopharynx.
What is the auditory tube (or Eustachian tube or pharyngotympanic tube)?
This leaf-shaped cartilage extends superiorly and posteriorly from the thyroid cartilage and functions specifically in closing the opening into the laryngeal cavity during swallowing.
What is the epiglottic cartilage (or epiglottis)?
On either side of the larynx in the laryngopharynx lies this recess, into which a bolus of food is usually deviated laterally by the epiglottis during swallowing.
What is the piriform recess?
This is the only intrinsic muscle of the larynx that functions as an abductor of the vocal folds; all others are adductors.
What is the posterior cricoarytenoid?
Also known as the ventricle of Morgagni, this space is located on either side of the larynx between the false vocal fold above and the true vocal fold below.
What is the ventricle?
The nasopharynx communicates with the oropharynx via this specific passage, bounded by the soft palate anteriorly and the wall of the pharynx posteriorly.
What is the pharyngeal isthmus?
This specific process extends forward from the base of the pyramidal arytenoid cartilage and serves as the attachment point for the vocal ligament.
What is the vocal process?
These three mucous membrane folds—the salpingopalatine, the salpingopharyngeal, and the torus levatorius—all extend from the torus tubarius.
What are the mucous membrane folds?
The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve pierces the thyrohyoid membrane to provide this specific type of innervation to the mucous membrane lining the larynx above the vocal folds.
What is sensory innervation?
Adduction of the true and false vocal folds, which obliterates the rima vestibuli, serves the function of allowing an increase in this type of pressure, important during urination, defecation, or parturition.
What is intrathoracic pressure (or intraabdominal pressure)?
The oropharynx is continuous with the oral cavity by the oropharyngeal isthmus, which is bounded laterally by these two structures.
What are the pillars of the fauces?
These two small cartilages, along with the corniculate cartilages, are the secondary types found in the larynx, with this one located within the aryepiglottic folds.
What are the cuneiform cartilages?
These two structures attach the epiglottis to the pharynx, flanking the median glossoepiglottic fold.
What are the lateral glossoepiglottic folds?
The inferior laryngeal artery, which supplies the larynx, arises from the inferior thyroid artery, which itself is a branch of this trunk arising from the subclavian artery.
What is the thyrocervical trunk?
This space is the opening, bounded by the epiglottis anteriorly and the aryepiglottic folds on the sides, which serves as the inlet into the larynx from the laryngopharynx.
What is the aditus (or inlet of the larynx)?