THE PHARYNX AND THE PALATE

THE PHARYNX

The pharynx is considered a fibromuscular tube of both the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts which lies between the mouth and the esophagus. At its upper end, it is continuous with the mouth and nasal passages, and connects with the middle ears via the Eustachian tubes. The lower end of the pharynx is continuous with the esophagus at C6. It is also connected to the larynx by an opening that is partially covered by the epiglottis during swallowing, thus preventing food from entering the trachea. The pharynx is particularly important as an instrument of speech by functioning with the various parts of the mouth and nasal cavity to articulate the initial sounds produced in the larynx.

Attached superiorly, centrally and posteriorly to the base of the skull at the pharyngeal tubercle,

Laterally and anteriorly it is attached to the hyoid, thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilages, medial tip of the petrous bone and the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone.

Extends inferiorly to C6, being continuous with the esophagus

Quick Look:

Innervation: Motor and Sensory is Derived from the Pharyngeal Plexus of Nerves

Motor - all muscles of pharynx are innervated by the Pharyngeal branch of vagus

Motor fibers in the plexus itself are from the cranial root of the Accessory n. (CN XI) and are carried by the Vagus

Exceptions:

Stylopharyngeus which is innervated by the Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
Tensor vali palatini supplied by CN V3

Sensory fibers in the plexus derive from the glossopharyngeal n which supplies most of the mucosa of the pharynx

Nasopharynx is also innervated by Facial nerve (VII) and V2 (maxillary nerve specifically supplies the mucous membrane of the anterior and superior nasopharynx);
Laryngopharynx is also innervated by Vagus (X).

Vascularization

Blood supply and lymphatics - Arteries from Ascending Pharyngeal, Facial, Maxillary and Lingual arteries, and Superior and Inferior Lingual arteries; Veins drain to pharyngeal plexus which drains to Internal Jugular; Lymphatics to Deep Cervical nodes.

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