Difference between revisions of "Pharynx - Anatomy & Physiology"
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Revision as of 18:03, 23 December 2010
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Introduction
The pharynx is part of both the respiratory and digestive system. Both systems have entrances to the pharynx but they are separated from each other by the soft palate. During exercise or during respiratory distress, the mouth can be used as an additional opening of the respiratory system and then the oropharynx also becomes an air-way.
The pharynx can be split into different regions- the oropharynx, laryngeal pharynx (sometimes referred to as the oesophageal pharynx) and the nasopharynx.
Structure and Function
The opening of the larynx is on the floor of the pharynx. Caudal and dorsal to the laryngeal opening is the opening into the oesophagus. In the dorsal region of the nasopharynx there are paired openings into the auditory (eustacian) tubes. The lining of the middle ear cavity and auditory tube is continuous with that of the nasopharynx. It is located between the base of the skull and the first two cervical vertebrae dorsally and the larynx ventrally. The mandible, pterygoid muscles and hyoid apparatus are located laterally. Laterally, two pairs of palatopharyngeal arches are present from the soft palate to the oesophagus.
The walls of the pharynx contain striated muscle. During swallowing, the soft palate is raised which divides the pharynx into dorsal and ventral sections. The dorsal compartment is the nasopharynx and the rostral compartment is the oropharynx. The laryngeal pharynx is separated from the oropharynx by the epiglottis. Tonsils are present on the lateral walls of the oropharynx and are covered by flaps of mucosa. It is partially visible in the open mouth.
The pharynx plays an important role in deglutition.
Musculature
Muscles that constrict
Muscles that constrict run dorsally to the roof of the pharynx. Rostral constrictor muscles are the hyopharyngeous, pterygopharyngeous and the palatopharyngeous muscles. They originate from the pterygoid region of the skull and the aponeurosis of the soft palate and shorten the pharynx. The middle constictor muscle is the thyopharyngeous muscle. It origniates from the hyoid bone. The caudal constictor muscle is the cricopharyngeous muscle. It originates from the thyroid cartilage of the larynx.
Muscles that dilate
Muscles that dilate enclose the pharynx laterally and dorsally. The dilator muscle is the stylopharyngeous muscle. It originates from the hyoid apparatus and widens the rostral pharynx.
Muscles that shorten
The pterygopharyngeal muscle and palatopharyngeal muscle shorten the pharynx. They enclose the pharynx laterally and dorsally.
Muscles that close the Pharyngeal Arch
The palatopharyngeous muscle also closes the pharyngeal arch.
Innervation
- Pharyngeal muscles arise from arch 4
- Stylopharyngeous muscle comes from arch 3 and is innervated by the accessory nerve (CN XI)
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) supplies taste to the pharynx
Histology
- Fibroelastic aponeurosis supports the mucosa
- nasopharynx has pseudostratified columnar epithelium
- oropharynx and the laryngeal pharynx have stratified squamous epithelium
- oropharynx and the laryngeal pharynx have salivary glands present
Species Differences
Canine
- Single duct connects nasopharynx to the nasal cavity
- Tonsils are a compact mass which point away from the lumen of the pharynx
Equine
- Auditory tube opens into the guttural pouch
- Tonsils are diffuse and raised slightly
- Horses are unable to breathe through the mouth as the free apex of the rostral epiglottis lies dorsal to the soft palate in a normal horse.
Ruminants
- Tonsils are a compact mass which point towards the lumen of the pharynx
Links
Oropharynx - Anatomy & Physiology
Nasopharynx - Anatomy & Physiology