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Anatomy Tables - Carotid Sheath, Pharynx, & Larynx
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Anatomy Tables - Carotid Sheath, Pharynx, & Larynx |
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Osteology | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone/Cartilage | Structure | Description | Notes |
| occipital (N8, N9,N11, TG7-06, TG7-07) |
the bone forming the posterior surface of the skull | it articulates superolaterally with the parietal bones through the lambdoid suture, anteroinferiorly with the temporal bone and anteriorly with the body of the sphenoid bone | |
| 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) | ||
| hyoid (N13, N77, TG7-09, TG7-25, TG7-26) |
a "U"-shaped bone consisting of several parts: body, 2 greater horns, 2 lesser horns | the hyoid bone ossifies completely in middle life; the body articulates with the greater horns via cartilage and with the lesser horns via fibrous joints prior to ossification; an important site for muscle attachments (suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle groups) (Greek, hyoid = U-shaped) | |
| body | the middle portion of the "U"-shaped bone | the body of the hyoid bone articulates with the greater horns posteriorly | |
| greater horn (cornu) | posteriorly directed limbs of the "U"-shaped bone | each greater horn articulates with the body and lesser horns anteriorly; origin of middle pharyngeal constrictor m. and hyoglossus m. | |
| lesser horn (cornu) | articulates with the greater horn at its junction with the body | the inferior end of the stylohyoid ligament attaches to the lesser horn | |
| arytenoid cartilage (N77, N81, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
a pyramid shaped cartilage located on the superior margin of the cricoid lamina | paired; each is connected to the epiglottis above via the aryepiglottic m. and to the thyroid cartilage anteriorly via the vocal ligament; paired arytenoid cartilages are pulled together (adducted) by the arytenoid m. (Greek, arytenoid = pitcher appearence, in certain animals, these two cartilages were noted to resemble the mouth of a pitcher with a large spout) | |
| vocal process | projects anteriorly to provide attachment for the vocal ligament | ||
| cricoid cartilage (N77, N81, TG7-22, TG7-25, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
the inferior & posterior cartilage of the larynx; it forms a complete cartilaginous ring; its arch projects anteriorly and its lamina is broad and flat posteriorly | connected: above to the thyroid cartilage via the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage, to the conus elasticus, to the arytenoid cartilages which sit atop the lamina; connected below to the first tracheal ring via the cricotracheal ligament (Greek, cricoid = a ring form) | |
| thyroid cartilage (N77, N81, TG7-22, TG7-25, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
the large anterior cartilage of the larynx; it has several parts: laminae (2), superior horns (2), inferior horns (2), oblique line, superior thyroid notch, | connected above to the hyoid bone via the thyrohyoid membrane; connected below to the cricoid cartilage via the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage; connected posteriorly: to the arytenoid cartilage via the vocal ligament and thyroarytenoid m., to the epiglottic cartilage via the thyroepiglottic ligament; it tilts anteriorly to increase the length of the vocal ligament and raise the pitch of the voice | |
| lamina | a broad flat plate of cartilage forming one side of the thyroid cartilage; two laminae fuse anteriorly in the midline to form the thyroid cartilage | the laryngeal prominence is the line of fusion of the two laminae; each lamina is connected superiorly to the hyoid bone by the thyrohyoid membrane (Latin, lamina = a thin plate) | |
| superior horn | the rounded, superior projection of the posterior border of the thyroid lamina | it is connected superiorly to the greater horn of the hyoid bone by the lateral thyrohyoid ligament | |
| inferior horn | the rounded, inferior projection of the posterior border of the thyroid lamina | it is connected inferiorly to the cricoid cartilage by the cricothyroid articulation (a synovial joint) | |
| oblique line | ridge which descends diagonally from superior to inferior on the lateral surface of the thyroid lamina | a line of muscle attachment | |
| laryngeal prominence | the line of fusion of the thyroid laminae | known to the lay person as the "Adam's apple"; the laryngeal prominence is a secondary sexual characteristic - in postpuberal males the angle of the laryngeal prominence is approximately 90o and in females the angle is approximately 120o | |
| superior thyroid notch | the notch at the superior end of the laryngeal prominence | it is connected to the hyoid bone by the median thyrohyoid ligament | |
| 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) |
Joints of the Larynx |
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|---|---|---|
| Joint or ligament | Description | Notes |
| cricoarytenoid joint (TG7-27, TG7-28) |
located between the bases of the arytenoid cartilages and the superolateral surfaces of the cricoid lamina | allows the arytenoid cartilages to slide toward or away from one to another, to tilt anteriorly and posterorly, and to rotate |
| cricothyroid joint (TG7-28) |
located between the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage | point of movement for the cricothyroid m., which flexes the larynx |
Muscles |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Action | Innervation | Notes | Image |
| constrictor, superior pharyngeal (N65, N75, TG7-21, TG7-22, TG7-24) |
medial pterygoid plate, pterygoid hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe, mylohyoid line of mandible | pharyngeal tubercle and midline pharyngeal raphe | constricts the pharyngeal cavity | vagus (X), via pharyngeal plexus | none | ) |
| constrictor, middle pharyngeal (N65, N75, TG7-21, TG7-22, TG7-24) |
lesser and greater horns of hyoid bone and inferior part of the stylohyoid ligament | midline pharyngeal raphe | constricts the pharyngeal cavity | vagus, via pharyngeal plexus | none | ) |
| constrictor, inferior pharyngeal (N65, N75, TG7-21, TG7-22, TG7-24) |
oblique line of thyroid cartilage, lateral surface of cricoid cartilage | midline pharyngeal raphe | constricts pharyngeal cavity | vagus (X), via pharyngeal plexus, with aid from superior laryngeal and recurrent laryngeal nerves | most external of the three pharyngeal constructor mm. | ) |
| stylopharyngeus (N65, N67, TG7-21, TG7-24) |
medial side of styloid process | superior border of thyroid cartilage and also into the pharyngeal wall | elevates the larynx | glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) | stylopharyngeus, the only muscle innervated by IX, is the only pharyngeal muscle NOT innervated by vagus (X) nerve | ) |
| thyrohyoid (N28,N29,N31, TG7-13) | oblique line of thyroid cartilage | lower border of hyoid bone | elevates larynx; depresses/stabilizes hyoid bone | C1&2 fibers running with hypoglossal nerve that leave XII anterior to the superior root of ansa cervicalis | thyrohyoid lies deep to the sternohyoid | ) |
| cricoarytenoid, posterior ( N82, TG7-28) |
posterior surface of the lamina of the cricoid cartilage | muscular process of arytenoid cartilage | draws the muscular process posteriorly, abducting vocal folds | inferior laryngeal nerve, from recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve (X) | posterior cricoarytenoid is the sole ABductor of the vocal cords | ) |
| arytenoid, transverse ( N82, TG7-28) |
posterior surface of arytenoid cartilage | posterior surface of contralateral arytenoid cartilage | draws arytenoid cartilages together, adducting vocal folds | inferior laryngeal nerve, from recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve (X) | arytenoideus is considered one muscle with oblique and transverse parts | ){kind=spacer} |
| arytenoid, oblique ( N82, TG7-28) |
muscular process of arytenoid | posterior surface of contralateral arytenoid cartilage, near apices | draws arytenoid cartilages together, adducting vocal folds | inferior laryngeal nerve, from recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the of vagus (X) | arytenoideus is often considered one muscle with oblique and transverse fibers | ) |
| thyroarytenoid ( N82, TG7-27) |
inner surface of the thyroid cartilage anteriorly | lateral border of the arytenoid cartilage | draws the arytenoid cartilage forward, relaxing and adducting the vocal folds | inferior laryngeal nerve, from recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve (X) | its subsidiary parts are the thyroepiglottic m. and the vocalis m.; the medial most fibers of thyroarytenoid that insert along the vocal ligament are called the vocalis muscle | ) |
| lateral cricoarytenoid ( N82, TG7-27) |
arch of the cricoid cartilage | muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage | draws the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage anteriorly, which pivots the arytenoid cartilage and adducts the vocal folds | inferior laryngeal nerve, from the recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve (X) | an antagonist of the posterior cricoarytenoid m.; the arteries that supply the larynx anastomose within the larynx to supply the mucous membranes and muscles | ) |
| cricothyroid ( N82, TG7-26) |
arch of the cricoid cartilage | inferior border of the thyroid cartilage | draws the thyroid cartilage forward, lengthening the vocal ligaments | external branch of superior laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve (X) | this is the only intrinsic muscle of the larynx that is not supplied by the recurrent laryngeal n.; ALL other laryngeal muscles are innervated by recurrent laryngeal nerve, via its inferior laryngeal branch | ) |
Nerves |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nerve | Source | Branches | Motor | Sensory | Notes |
| glossopharyngeal (N71, N125, N130, N131, TG7-20, TG7-21, TG7-90) |
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. |
| vagus (N126, TG7-20, TG7-21, TG7-91, TG7-92) | medulla: dorsal nucleus (GVA & GVE preganglionic parasympathetic) from inferior ganglion, nucleus ambiguus (SVE); spinal trigeminal nucleus (GSA) from superior ganglion; nucleus solitarius (SVA) from inferior ganglion | auricular br., pharyngeal br., superior laryngeal, superior & inferior cervical cardiac brs., recurrent laryngeal, thoracic cardiac brs., brs. to pulmonary plexus, esophageal plexus, anterior & posterior vagal trunks | SVE: intrinsic muscles of larynx, pharynx (except stylopharyngeus), & palate (except tensor veli palatini); GVE: smooth muscle of respiratory tree & gut (proximal to splenic flexure), heart; secretomotor: mucous glands of larynx, respiratory tree, pharynx & gut, digestive glands | GSA: skin of external auditory meatus; GVA: viscera of head, neck, thorax & abdomen proximal to splenic flexure; SVA: taste to epiglottis | also known as: CN X, 10th cranial nerve; passes through jugular foramen; (Latin,vagus = wanderer, because of its wide distribution to the body cavities) |
| accessory (N71, N127, TG7-18, TG7-93) | cranial root: nucleus ambiguus; spinal root: spinal nucleus of upper cervical spinal cord | cranial root joins vagus; spinal root ascends through foramen magnum | GSE: sternocleidomastoid and trapezius mm. | also known as: CN XI, 11th cranial nerve; passes through jugular foramen; accessory n. is motor only; proprioceptive fibers reach sternocleidomastoid via C2&C3 and trapezius via C3&C4 (subtrapezial plexus) | |
| hypoglossal (N71, N128, TG7-21, TG7-94) | medulla: hypoglossal nucleus | branches of C1&2 carried by this nerve are not considered to be branches of the hypoglossal nerve | intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue (except palatoglossus m.) | also known as: CN XII, 12th cranial nerve; passes through the hypoglossal canal; superior root of ansa cervicalis travels with the hypoglossal n. | |
| superior laryngeal (N74, N75, N76, TG7-21, TG7-26) |
vagus (X) | internal & external brs. | cricothyroid, inferior pharyngeal constrictor, secretomotor to mucous glands of larynx above vocal folds | mucous lining of larynx above vocal folds | external br. supplies cricothyroid m.; all other intrinsic muscles of the larynx are supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve |
| inferior laryngeal (N74, N75, N76, TG7-21, TG7-26) |
recurrent laryngeal br. of vagus (X) | all muscles of larynx except cricothyroid: thyroarytenoid, oblique & transverse arytenoid, posterior & lateral cricoarytenoid, aryepiglottic, thyroepiglottic, vocalis; secretomotor to mucous glands of larynx below vocal fold | mucous lining of larynx below vocal fold | continuous with recurrent laryngeal at inferior border of cricopharyngeus | |
| recurrent laryngeal (N74, N75, N76, TG7-21, TG7-26) |
vagus (X) | esophageal brs., tracheal brs., cardiac brs., pharyngeal brs., inferior laryngeal n. | upper esophagus, lower pharynx, laryngeal ms. (except cricopharyngeus); smooth muscle of trachea; secretomotor to mucous glands in upper esophagus, lower pharynx, larynx below vocal fold, trachea; cardiac muscle of heart (slows rate, decreases force of contraction) | upper esophagus, lower pharynx, larynx below vocal folds, GVA from heart | right recurrent loops posteriorly around right subclavian a.; left recurrent loops posteriorly around aortic arch & ligamentum arteriosum; inferior laryngeal br. supplies all intrinsic muscles of the larynx EXCEPT cricothyroid m. |
| sympathetic trunk, cervical (N129, N130, TG7-15, TG7-95) | preganglionic sympathetic via ascending fibers from T1-T5 | postganglionic sympathetic via gray rami communicans to cervical spinal nn.; internal & external carotid nn.; cervical cardiac brs. | dilator pupillae m.; vascular smooth muscle; arrector pili muscles & sweat glands of head and neck; heart & lungs | pain from viscera | located parallel & lateral to vertebral bodies in neck; there are no white rami communicans at cervical levels |
| ganglion, superior cervical (N129, N130, TG7-15, TG7-95) | preganglionic sympathetic via ascending fibers from T1-T5 | postganglionic sympathetic via gray rami communicans to cervical spinal nn. C1-4; internal & external carotid nn.; cervical cardiac br. | dilator pupillae m.; superior tarsal m.; vascular smooth muscle; arrector pili muscles & sweat glands of head and neck; heart & lungs | pain from viscera | located lateral to vertebral bodies C1-3 in neck; there are no white rami communicans at cervical levels |
| carotid plexus, external (N129, N130, TG7-15, TG7-95) |
superior cervical ganglion of the sympathetic trunk, via external carotid n. | distributes along external carotid artery brs. | vascular smooth muscle, arrector pili muscles, sweat glands of face & upper neck | postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers use arteries as roadways to enter the head and neck (Latin, plexus = a braid) | |
| carotid plexus, internal (N129, N130, TG7-15, TG7-95) |
superior cervical ganglion of sympathetic trunk, via internal carotid n. | most distribute along the internal carotid artery brs., although deep petrosal n. is an exception | vascular smooth muscle of brain, orbit, forehead, upper nasal cavity; arrector pili muscles of forehead & ant. scalp; sweat glands of forehead; dilator pupillae & superior tarsal mm. | postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers use arteries as roadways to enter the head and neck (Latin, plexus = a braid) | |
| ganglion, middle cervical (N129, N130, TG7-15, TG7-95) | preganglionic sympathetic via ascending fibers from T1-T5 | postganglionic sympathetic via gray rami communicans to cervical spinal nn. C5-6; cervical cardiac br. | vascular smooth muscle; arrector pili muscles & sweat glands of neck and upper limb; heart & lungs | pain from viscera | located lateral to vertebral body C5 or 6 in neck; there are no white rami communicans at cervical levels; often lies near inferior thyroid artery |
| ganglion, inferior cervical (N129, N130, TG7-15, TG7-95) | preganglionic sympathetic via ascending fibers from T1-T5 | postganglionic sympathetic via gray rami communicans to cervical spinal nn. C7-8; cervical cardiac br. | vascular smooth muscle; arrector pili muscles & sweat glands of upper limb; heart & lungs | pain from viscera | located lateral to vertebral body C7 in neck, or fuses with 1st thoracic ganglion to form cervicothoracic or stellate ganglion |
| pharyngeal plexus of nerves (N71, N125, N130, N131, TG7-20, TG7-21, TG7-90) |
pharyngeal branches of glossopharyngeal (IX), vagus (X), and sympathetic trunk | pharyngeal brs. | all muscles of pharynx (except stylopharyngeus) via vagus; mucous glands (vagal parasympathetic) and blood vessels (sympathetic) of pharynx | oropharynx (glossopharyngeal) and laryngopharynx (vagus) | stylopharyngeus m. is innervated by glossopharyngeal n. |
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 |
| superior thyroid (N31, N32, N33, N34, TG7-13, TG7-14, TG7-25) |
external carotid | infrahyoid br., sternocleidomastoid br., sup. laryngeal, cricothyroid br., ant., post. & lat. glandular brs. | thyroid gland, upper larynx, infrahyoid muscles, sternocleidomastoid | |
| ascending pharyngeal (N31, N32, N33, N34, TG7-19, TG7-71) |
external carotid | pharyngeal brs., inf. tympanic, post. meningeal | pharynx | arises from the medial side of the external carotid a. close to the birfurcation |
| lingual (N31, N32, N33, N34, TG7-19, TG7-71) |
external carotid | suprahyoid br., dorsal lingual brs., deep lingual, sublingual | tongue, suprahyoid muscles, palatine tonsil | (Latin, lingula = tongue) |
| facial (N31, N32, N33, N34, TG7-19, TG7-31, TG7-71) |
external carotid | ascending palatine a., tonsilar br., submental a., sup. & inf. labial as., lat. nasal br., angular a. | lower part of palatine tonsil, submandibular gland, facial muscles & fascia | its angular branch anastomoses with the ophthalmic a. |
| occipital (N31, N32, N33, N34, TG7-19, TG7-71) |
external carotid | sternocleidomastoid brs., auricular br., mastoid br., descending br., occipital brs. | lateral & post. neck, post. scalp | anastomoses with deep cervical; joins greater occipital nerve posteriorly |
| superior laryngeal (N31, N32, N33, N34, TG7-13, TG7-14, TG7-25) | superior thyroid | upper larynx internally | ||
| inferior laryngeal (N74, N75, N76, TG7-21, TG7-26) |
inferior thyroid | lower larynx internally | ||
Veins |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vein | Tributaries | Drains Into | Region Drained | Notes | |
| internal jugular (N74, TG7-73) | 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) | |
| pharyngeal plexus (N73, TG7-73) | small veins on the walls of the pharynx | internal jugular v. | pharynx |
Viscera/Fascia |
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|---|---|---|
| Organ | Location/Description | Notes |
| carotid sheath (N35A,N35B, TG7-10, TG7-13) |
fascial investment that extends from the base of the skull to the root of the neck | blends anteriorly with the investing and pretracheal layers of fascia and posteriorly with the prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia |
| carotid bifurcation (N31,N32,N33,N34, TG 7-19, TG 7-71) |
point at which common carotid artery splits into external and internal carotid, usually at the level of upper border of thyroid lamina | location of carotid body and sinus |
| carotid body (N131, TG7-90) |
small reddish-brown ovoid mass that lies on the medial side of the carotid bifurcation | serves as a chemoreceptor that monitors the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood |
| carotid sinus (N131, TG7-90) |
a slight dilation of the beginning of internal carotid and upper common carotid artery | serves as a baroreceptor that reacts to changes in arterial pressure |
| pharyngobasilar fascia (N67, TG7-21) |
blends with the periosteum of the base of the skull and defines the limits of the pharyngeal wall in its superior part | penetrated by the passage of the auditory tube into the nasopharynx |
| 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 (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
the movable posterior third of the palate, which is suspended from the posterior border of the hard palate | |
| uvula (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
conical process that is the posteroinferior extension of the soft palate | (Latin, uva/uvula = a grape) |
| 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 |
| uvula (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
conical process that is the posteroinferior extension of the soft palate | (Latin, uva/uvula = a grape) |
| 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 |
| vestibular fold (N67, N80, N81, N82, TG7-22, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
mucosal fold located between laryngeal vestibule & ventricle | also known as: false vocal fold |
| vocal folds (N67, N80, N81, N82, TG7-22, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
mucosal covering of vocal ligament & thyroepiglottic muscle (vocalis part) | located inferior to laryngeal ventricle |
| laryngeal ventricle (N67, N80, N81, N82, TG7-22, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
lateral diverticulum of larynx located between false & true vocal folds (or vestibular fold & vocal fold) | |
| laryngeal vestibule (N67, N80, N81, N82, TG7-22, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
part of larynx, located below epiglottis between aryepiglottic & vestibular folds | lateral wall contains quadrangular membrane (submucosa) |
| quadrangular membrane (N67, N80, N81, N82, TG7-22, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
submucosal lining of the laryngeal vestibule | |
| glottis | the opening or space between the vocal folds | glottis and rima glottidis are used interchangeably |
| infraglottic cavity | the portion of the laryngeal cavity that lies inferior to the vocal folds; it is bounded superiorly by the glottis and opens inferiorly into the trachea | receives sensory innervation from inferior laryngeal n. |
| supraglottic cavity | the portion of the laryngeal cavity that lies superior to the vocal folds; it is bounded inferiorly by the glottis and opens superiorly to the laryngopharynx at the laryngeal inlet | receives sensory innervation from the internal branch of superior laryngeal n. |
| aryepiglottic fold (N67, N80, N81, N82, TG7-22, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
cover aryepiglottic muscles between lateral margin of epiglottis & arytenoid cart. | |
| conus elasticus (N67, N80, N81, N82, TG7-22, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
elastic submucous membrane attaching on upper margin of arch of cricoid cart. | thickened upper margin is vocal ligament (Latin/Greek, conus elasticus = elastic cone-shaped structure) |
| vocal ligaments (N67, N80, N81, N82, TG7-22, TG7-27, TG7-28) |
located in larynx within (true) vocal folds; connect inner anterior surface of thyroid cart. to vocal process of arytenoid cart.; represents thickened superior margin of conus elasticus | vibration creates sound; brought together by arytenoid & lateral cricoarytenoid ms., moved apart by posterior cricoarytenoid ms. |
| thyrohyoid membrane (N29, TG7-14, TG7-25, TG7-26) |
connects the superior border of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone, suspending the larynx | penetrated by the internal branch of superior laryngeal n. & superior laryngeal a. |
Lymphatics |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Location | Afferents from | Efferents to | Regions drained | Notes |
| tonsil, pharyngeal (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
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 (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
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 (TG7-22, TG7-23) |
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) |
| 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. |
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| Copyright© 2000 The University of Michigan. Unauthorized use prohibited. |
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