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Anatomy Tables - Nasal Cavity and Pharynx
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Anatomy Tables - Nasal Cavity and Pharynx |
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Osteology |
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|---|---|---|
| Bone | Structure | Description |
| pharyngeal tubercle (N6, N8, TG7-06) |
projection located anterior to the foramen magnum; attachment site for the superior pharyngeal constrictor m. | |
| palate (N6, N8, TG7-06) |
hard palate | concave vaulted structure whose space is filled by the tongue when at rest |
| sphenoid (N6, TG7-07, TG7-08) |
an irregularly shaped bone forming the central portion of the skull; it has many parts, including a body, greater wing, lesser wing and pterygoid plates (Greek, sphenoid = wedge-shaped) | |
| medial pterygoid plate ( N6, N8, TG7-06, TG7-08) |
thin plate of bone that projects posteriorly from the pterygoid process; it is the attachment of the superior pharyngeal constrictor m. & the pharyngobasilar fascia (Greek, pterygoid = wing-shaped) | |
| pterygoid hamulus (N6,N8, TG7-06, TG7-08) |
hook-like projection from the inferior end of the medial pterygoid plate; it acts as a pulley for the tendon of the tensor veli palatini m. (Greek, pterygoid = wing-shaped; Latin, hamus = hook) | |
| sinus (N48,N49,N6, TG7-08, TG7-43, TG7-44) |
located in the body of the sphenoid and are separated by a bony septum; the sinuses make the sphenoid fragile (Greek, sphenoid = wedge-shaped) | |
| pterygopalatine fossa (N4, TG7-32) | pyramidal space inferior to apex of orbit | lies between the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone posteriorly and the posterior aspect of the maxilla anteriorly (Greek, pterygoid = wing-shaped) |
| sphenopalatine foramen (N4, TG7-32) | communicates with the pterygopalatine fossa medially through the nasal cavity | |
| vomer (N2,N6, TG7-03, TG7-41) | thin, flat bone that forms the posteroinferior part of the nasal septum (Latin, vomer = a ploughshare, the latin word is said to have been derived from vomere, to vomit, because the plough "throws up" the earth) | |
| maxilla (N2, TG7-03) | upper jaw | consitute the supporting bone for the maxillary teeth |
| sinus (N48,N49, TG7-44A, TG7-44BC) | the largest of the paranasal sinuses; occupy the bodies of the maxillae | |
| ethmoid (N6, TG7-08 | air cells N48,N49, TG7-44A, TG7-44BC) | pneumatized spaces (3-18 in number) within the ethmoid bone; located between the orbits; three groups may be identified: anterior (drain into the hiatus semilunaris in the middle nasal meatus), middle (drain onto the apex of the bulla ethmoidalis in the middle nasal meatus), posterior (drain into the superior nasal meatus) (Greek, ethmoid = resembles a sieve) |
| perpendicular plate (N6, TG7-41) | superior part of the nasal septum that descends from the cribiform plate; superior to the cribiform plate it is the crista galli | |
| cribriform plate (N6, TG7-41) | perforated portion of ethmoid bone on either side of the crista galli; perforated for passage of the olfactory nerves | |
| superior nasal concha (N6,N37, N38, TG7-08, TG7-42) | medial projection of the ethmoid bone from the superolateral wall of the nasal cavity; forms the superior nasal meatus below it and the sphenoethmoidal recess above it | |
| middle nasal concha (N6,N37, N38, TG7-08, TG7-42) | portion of the ethmoid bone that projects inferomedially from the lateral wall of the nasal cavity; forms the superior nasal meatus above it and the middle nasal meatus (which overlies the bulla ethmoidalis and hiatus semilunaris) below it | |
| bulla ethmoidalis (N37,N38, TG7-42, TG7-43) | rounded elevation on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity; located under cover of the middle nasal concha; middle ethmoidal air cells drain at its apex | |
| nasal septum (N2, N6, N39, TG7-03, TG7-41A, TG7-41B) | divides the chamber of the nose into two nasal cavities, with three major components: perpendicular plate of the ethmoid, vomer, and septal cartilage | |
| nasal conchae (N6,N37, N38, TG7-08, TG7-42) | three curved bony plates on the lateral side of each nasal cavity; the superior and middle concha are part of the ethmoid bone, the inferior concha is a separate bone | |
| sphenoid | body (N6, TG7-07, TG7-08) | central part, containing sinuses (Greek, sphenoid = wedge-shaped) |
| medial pterygoid plate (N6,N8, TG7-06, TG7-08) | projects posteriorly from pterygoid process; attachment of superior pharyngeal constrictor & pharyngobasilar fascia (Greek, pterygoid = wing-shaped) | |
| pterygoid hamulus (N6,N8, TG7-06, TG7-08) | hook-like projection from the inferior end of the medial pterygoid plate; it acts as a pulley for the tendon of the tensor veli palatini m. (Greek, pterygoid = wing-shaped; Latin, hamus = hook) | |
| epiglottis (N77, N81, TG7-22, TG7-25, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
the superior part of the larynx; epiglottic cartilage is covered by a mucous membrane (Greek, epiglottis = the mouth of the windpipe) | |
Arteries |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artery | Source | Branches | Supply | Notes |
| common carotid (N31,N32,N33,N34, TG 7-19, TG 7-71) |
brachiocephalic trunk (right), aortic arch (left) | external & internal carotid (terminal brs.) | most of head & upper neck | common carotid a. bifurcates at the level of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage; carotid sinus & body located at bifurcation |
| internal carotid (N69, N136, TG7-72) |
common carotid | none in the neck; in the head: ophthalmic, post. communicating, ant. & middle cerebral (terminal brs.) | brain, eye, forehead | primary blood supply to the brain; anastomoses with vertebral aa. |
| external carotid (N31, N32, N33, N34, TG7-19, TG7-71) |
common carotid | superior thyroid, ascending pharyngeal, lingual, facial, occipital, post. auricular, maxillary & superficial temporal (terminal brs.) | upper neck, face & scalp | primary blood supply to face & superficial head |
Veins |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vein | Tributaries | Drains Into | Region Drained | Notes | |
| internal jugular (N31, TG7-13) | formed by the union of the sigmoid & inferior petrosal sinuses; tributaries: pharyngeal vv.; lingual, common facial, sternocleidomastoid, superior & middle thyroid vv. | brachiocephalic v. | brain & skull, face, viscera of neck | largest vein of the head and neck (Latin, jugulum = throat) |
Nerves |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nerve | Source | Branches | Motor | Sensory | Notes |
| glossopharyngeal (N104, TG7-90C) | medulla: spinal trigeminal nucleus from superior ganglion (GVA); nucleus solitarius from inferior ganglion (SVA); nucleus ambiguus (GVA); inferior salivatory nucleus (GVE preganglionic parasympathetic) | tympanic nerve to tympanic plexus & lesser petrosal n., carotid sinus n., stylopharyngeus brs., pharyngeal brs. | GSE: stylopharyngeus; GVE: secretomotor to parotid gland (preganglionic parasympathetic via tympanic n. to lesser petrosal n. to otic ganglion, postganglionic parasympathetic via auriculotemporal n.) | GVA: carotid body & sinus, pharynx, middle ear; GSA: skin of external ear; SVA: taste from posterior 1/3rd of tongue | also known as: CN IX, 9th cranial nerve; passes through jugular foramen; may penetrate the stylopharyngeus m. |
| tympanic (TG7-90C) | glossopharyngeal | tympanic plexus, which gives rise to lesser petrosal n. | secretomotor (pregang. parasymp., synapsing in otic gang.) to parotid gland | mucous lining of middle ear cavity | passes from inferior ganglion of CN IX through tympanic canaliculus to middle ear (Greek, tympanum = a kettle drum) |
Viscera |
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|---|---|---|
| Organ | Location/Description | Notes |
| pharynx (N67, TG7-21, TG7-23) |
connects nasal & oral cavities with larynx & esophagus | divided into 3 parts: nasopharynx, oropharynx & laryngopharynx |
| nasopharynx (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
connects nasal cavity with oropharynx; located posterior to posterior nasal apertures and superior to pharyngeal isthmus (soft palate & posterior wall of pharynx) | contains torus tubarius, pharyngeal recess, pharyngeal tonsil |
| torus tubarius (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
mucosal fold covering the anteromedial end of the auditory tube cartilage | torus tubarius projects toward the midline from the lateral wall of the nasopharynx (Latin, torus = knot) |
| pharyngeal recess (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
posterosuperior to the torus tubarius | pharyngeal tonsil may extend variably into the pharyngeal recess |
| oropharynx (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
connects: anteriorly with oral cavity through oropharyngeal isthmus (palatoglossal arch), superiorly with nasopharynx through pharyngeal isthmus (posterior margin of soft palate), inferiorly with laryngopharynx at superior margin of epiglottis | contains palatine tonsil in tonsilar bed between palatoglossal & palatopharyngeal arches |
| palatoglossal fold (TG7-23) |
fold of mucosa covering the palatoglossus m. | palatoglossal fold marks the anterior boundary of the tonsillar fossa or bed of the palatine tonsil |
| palatopharyngeal fold (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
fold of mucosa covering the palatopharyngeus m. | palatopharyngeal fold marks the posterior boundary of the tonsillar fossa or bed of the palatine tonsil |
| laryngopharynx (N70, TG7-22, TG7-23) |
connects: superiorly with oropharynx at superior border of epiglottis, anteriorly with larynx through laryngeal inlet (epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, arytenoid cartilages), inferiorly with esophagus at lower border of cricoid cartilage | contains piriform recesses lateral to aryepiglottic folds |
| lateral glossoepiglottic fold (TG7-39) |
located between base of tongue & epiglottis lateral to valleculae epiglottica | |
| median glossoepiglottic fold (TG7-39) |
located between base of tongue & epiglottis | separates the paired valleculae epiglottica |
| piriform recess (N70, TG7-22, TG7-23) |
located lateral to aryepiglottic folds | (Latin, pirum = pear + forma = form) |
| esophagus (N70, TG7-22, TG7-23) |
connects: superiorly with laryngopharynx at lower border of cricoid cartilage, inferiorly through diaphragm at t10 vert. level to reach stomach; upper third is skeletal muscle innervated by recurrent laryngeal | lower 2/3rds is smooth muscle innervated by vagus via esophageal plexus |
| laryngeal inlet (N70, TG7-22, TG7-23) |
pathway through which the laryngopharynx communicates with the larynx | |
| larynx (N70, TG7-22, TG7-23) |
located anterior to laryngopharynx at level of C4-6 vert.; composed of thyroid, cricoid, epiglottic, arytenoid, cuneiform & corniculate cartilages | contains vocal ligaments |
| choanae (N37, N66, TG7-22, TG7-43) | posterior opening of the nasal cavities into the nasopharynx | (Latin/Greek, choanae = a funnel-shaped hollow in the brain) |
| soft palate (TG7-24, TG7-43) | the movable posterior third of the palate, which is suspended from the posterior border of the hard palate | |
| uvula (TG7-22, TG7-23, TG7-41) |
conical process that is the posteroinferior extension of the soft palate | (Latin, uva/uvula = a grape) |
| aryepiglottic fold (N67, N80, N81, N82, TG7-22, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
cover aryepiglottic muscles between lateral margin of epiglottis & arytenoid cart. | |
| retropharyngeal space (N31A, N31B, N59, N61, TG7-10, TG7-23, TG7-24) |
potential space between the posterior wall of the pharynx, covered with buccopharyngeal fascia, and the vertebral column and associated muscles, covered with prevertebral fascia | infections within the retropharyngeal space may track inferiorly into the chest |
Fascia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fascia | Location/Description | Notes |
| fascia, buccopharyngeal (TG7-10A, TG7-10B, TG7-23AB) | posterior part of visceral fascia of neck; lies behind pharynx & esophagus | |
| fascia, pharyngobasilar (TG7-19, TG7-21, TG7-23B) | submucosa of pharynx; attached to base of skull | |
| fascia, prevertebral (N35, TG7-10A, TG7-10B) | deep fascia surrounding vertebral column and associated muscles, including scalene ms. (scalene fascia) | |
| fascia, visceral (TG7-10B) | deep fascia enclosing the visceral structures of the neck (thyroid gland, larynx/trachea, esophagus) | anterior part also known as pretracheal fascia, posterior part also known as buccopharyngeal fascia |
Lymphatics |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Location | Afferents from | Efferents to | Regions drained | Notes |
| tonsil, pharyngeal (TG7-43) | roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx | lymphatic vessels of the wall of the pharynx | superior deep cervical nodes | "guards" the entrance to the nasopharynx | part of the tonsillar ring (of Waldeyer); known as adenoids when inflamed |
| tonsil, palatine (TG7-38, TG7-39) | lateral wall of the oropharynx between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches | lymphatic vessels of the posterior tongue and palatoglossal/palatopharyngeal arch region | superior deep cervical nodes, especially the jugulodigastric node | "guards" the entrance of the oropharynx | part of the tonsillar ring (of Waldeyer); often referred to as "the" tonsils |
| tonsil, lingual (TG7-39) | superior surface of root of tongue | lymphatic vessels of the root of tongue and valleculae epiglottica | superior deep cervical nodes | "guards" entrance of oropharynx | part of tonsillar ring (of Waldeyer) |
| nodes, deep cervical (N72, TG7-74) | in and around carotid sheath | lymphatic vessels from head & neck | jugular trunk | head & neck | superior and inferior subdivisions are delineated by the crossing of the omohyoid m. |
| jugulodigastric node | anterolateral to internal jugular v. where it is crossed by posterior belly of the digastric | superior deep cervical nodes | inferior deep cervical nodes | oral cavity, tongue, palatine tonsil | a member of the superior deep cervical node group; important node to palpate during physical exam |
| juguloomohyoid node | lateral to internal jugular v. where it is crossed by superior belly of omohyoid | superior deep cervical nodes | inferior deep cervical nodes | submental region and tip of tongue; head & neck above this level | an important node to examine in cases of oral cancer caused by use of tobacco products |
| The material presented in these tables is contained in the book: MedCharts Anatomy by Thomas R. Gest & Jaye Schlesinger Published by ILOC, Inc., New York Copyright © 1995, unauthorized use prohibited. |
The excellent editorial assistance of Dr. Pat Tank, UAMS is gratefully acknowledged. |