Pharynx and oral cavity

• 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 lymphatic 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.
• What is the anatomical location of the palatine tonsils?

  In the tonsillar sinus.
• Where is the lingual tonsil located?

  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 supplied by CN X, except for the stylopharyngeus which is supplied by CN IX.
• What is the function of the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx?

  They elevate the pharyngeal wall during swallowing.
• Which nerve supplies the palatopharyngeus muscle?

  CN X (vagus nerve).
• What is the blood supply for the superior constrictor muscle?

  Facial artery and ascending pharyngeal artery.
• What is the venous drainage of the pharynx?

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

  1. Oral phase: food is chewed and mixed with saliva.
  2. Pharyngeal phase: food is pushed into the pharynx.
  3. Esophageal phase: food moves down the esophagus.
• What happens to the larynx during swallowing?

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

  Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.
• What can cause aspiration pneumonia related to swallowing?

  Poor clearance of oropharyngeal pooling of liquid.
• What is Zenker's diverticulum?

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

  Dysphagia, regurgitation of undigested food, and sensation of fullness in the neck.
• What are the four parasympathetic ganglia in the head?

  • Ciliary ganglion
  • Pterygopalatine ganglion
  • Submandibular ganglion
  • Otic ganglion
• What is the role of the glossopharyngeal nerve in salivary gland innervation?

  It provides secretomotor innervation to the salivary glands.
• How does sympathetic innervation affect salivary glands?

  It may reduce secretion from the gland.
• What is sialolithiasis?

  It is the formation of stones in the salivary glands.
• 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 function of the palatoglossus muscle?

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

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

  It elevates the pharynx and opens the auditory tube.
• What is the innervation of the tensor veli palatini muscle?

  CN V3 (trigeminal nerve).
• What is the function 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 significance of the retro-pharyngeal space?

  It allows for movement and flexibility of the pharynx.
• What is the function of the pharyngeal tubercle?

  It serves as an attachment point for the superior constrictor muscle.
• What is the role of the pterygoid hamulus?

  It serves as an attachment point for the tensor veli palatini muscle.
• What is the role of the medial pterygoid plate?

  It serves as an attachment point for the superior constrictor muscle.
• What is the function of the oblique line in the pharynx?

  It serves as an attachment point for the constrictor muscles.
• What is the role of the superior thyroid artery in the pharynx?

  It supplies blood to the middle constrictor muscle.
• What is the function of the ascending pharyngeal artery?

  It supplies blood to the superior constrictor muscle.
• What is the role of the inferior thyroid artery?

  It supplies blood to the inferior constrictor muscle.
• What is the significance of the peritonsillar plexus?

  It is involved in the venous drainage of the tonsils.