Oral Cavity & Pharynx

• What are the functions of the muscles of the pharynx and soft palate?

  They assist in swallowing and the movement of food.
• What is Waldeyer’s ring of lymphoid tissue composed of?

  • Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)
  • Tubal tonsils
  • Palatine tonsils
  • Lingual tonsils
• Where are the pharyngeal tonsils located?

  In the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
• What is the location of the tubal tonsil?

  Around the opening of the auditory tube.
• Where are the palatine tonsils found?

  In the tonsillar sinus.
• What is the location of the lingual tonsil?

  At the root of the tongue.
• What are the constrictor muscles of the pharynx?

  • Superior constrictor
  • Middle constrictor
  • Inferior constrictor
  • Cricopharyngeus
• What is the nerve supply for the constrictor muscles of the pharynx?

  All are innervated by CN X, except stylopharyngeus which is innervated by CN IX.
• What is the function of the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?

  They elevate the pharyngeal wall during swallowing.
• What is the blood supply for the constrictor muscles?

  Superior constrictor

  • facial artery & ascending pharyngeal artery

  Middle constrictor

  • superior thyroid artery

  Inferior constrictor

  • inferior thyroid artery
• What is the venous drainage of the pharynx?

  Through the pharyngeal plexus to the internal jugular vein.
• What are the stages of swallowing and the involved muscles?

  • Jaw muscles: assist in chewing
  • Cheek muscles: help in food manipulation
  • Lips: seal the oral cavity
  • Tongue: propels food posteriorly
  • Soft palate: closes off nasopharynx
  • Pharynx: moves food to esophagus
  • Larynx: protects airway
  • Oesophagus: transports food to stomach
• What happens to the larynx during swallowing?

  The larynx is elevated towards the soft palate.
• What is dysphagia?

  Difficulty swallowing
• What is Zenker's diverticulum?

  It is a mucosal herniation between the cricopharyngeus and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle.
• What are the symptoms of Zenker's diverticulum?

  Dysphagia

  Regurgitation of undigested food

  Sensation of globus or fullness in the neck

  Cough

  Halitosis

  Aspiration pneumonia

  Weight loss

  Voice changes

  Sialorrhea (excessive drooling)
• What are the four parasympathetic ganglia in the head?

  • Ciliary ganglion
  • Pterygopalatine ganglion
  • Submandibular ganglion
  • Otic ganglion
• What is sialolithiasis?

  It is the formation of salivary stones.
• What is the course of the submandibular duct?

  It crosses superior to the lingual nerve.
• What is the function of the tensor veli palatini muscle?

  It tenses the soft palate during swallowing.
• What is the role of the levator veli palatini muscle?

  It elevates the soft palate to close off the nasopharynx.
• What is the function of the musculus uvulae?

  It helps to elevate the uvula during swallowing.
• What is the role of the palatoglossus muscle?

  It helps to elevate the back of the tongue during swallowing.
• What is the role of the palatopharyngeus muscle?

  It helps to elevate the pharynx during swallowing.
• What is the function of the stylopharyngeus muscle?

  It elevates the pharynx and opens the auditory tube.
• What is the significance of the cricopharyngeus muscle?

  It acts as a sphincter at the upper esophageal opening.
• What is the role of the pharyngeal raphe?

  It serves as an attachment point for the constrictor muscles.
• What is the function of the pterygo-mandibular raphe?

  It provides an attachment for the buccinator muscle.
• What is the significance of the retro-pharyngeal space?

  It allows for movement and flexibility of the pharynx.
• What is the role of the stylohyoid ligament?

  It connects the styloid process to the hyoid bone.
• What is the function of the cricoid cartilage?

  It provides support and structure to the larynx.
• What is the role of the auriculotemporal branch of CN V3 in salivary gland innervation?

  It carries postganglionic fibers to the parotid gland.
• What is the function of the chorda tympani in salivary gland innervation?

  It provides preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular ganglion.
• What is the significance of the sympathetic nerves in relation to the salivary glands?

  They may reduce secretion from the glands.
• What is the relationship between the submandibular gland and the mylohyoid muscle?

  The submandibular gland wraps around the mylohyoid muscle.
• What is the role of the lingual nerve in relation to the submandibular duct?

  It carries postganglionic fibers from the submandibular ganglion.
• What is the significance of the nerve plexus overlying the external carotid artery?

  It provides sympathetic innervation to the salivary glands.
• What is the function of the pre- and post-ganglionic fibers in the sympathetic innervation of the salivary glands?

  They synapse in the superior cervical ganglion of the sympathetic chain.
• What is the role of the external carotid artery in relation to the salivary glands?

  It supplies blood to the salivary glands.
• Fill in the blanks

  A) Superior constrictor

  B) Middle constrictor

  C) Inferior constrictor

  D) Larynx

  E) Oesophagus