Applied anatomy of pharynx

Wang Peihua

Department of Otorhinolaryngology,

9th people’s hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University

Circumscription of pharynx

Pharynx is the junction between respiratory tract and alimentary tract.

Circumscription of pharynx

Superior: base of skull

Inferior: inferior border of C6

Anterior: Connect to nose, mouth and larynx

Posterior: Prevertebral fascia

Subsection of pharynx (1) nasopharynx ： skull base

free edge of soft palate (2) oropharynx ： free edge of soft palate

superior border of epiglottis (3) laryngopharynx ： superior border of epiglottis

inferior border of cricoid cartilage

Nasopharynx(Epipharynx) a adenoid

b pharyngeal opening of auditory tube

c torus tubalis

d pharyngeal recess

e tubal tonsils

Oropharynx(Mesopharynx) a fauces

b glossopalatine arch

c pharyngopalatine arch

d tonsilla palatina

e lateral pharyngeal bands

f pharyngeal posterior wall

Laryngopharynx （ Hypopharynx ）

a atrium of larynx b vallecula epiglottica c pyriform sinus d postcricoid space

Structure of pharyngeal wall（一） layer of pharyngeal wall 1. mucous layer

2. fibrous layer

3. muscle layer ：①pharyngeal constrictor

②pharyngeal elevator

muscle group

③palatine velum muscle

group

4. Mantle layer

（二） interfascial space 1. retropharyngeal space

2. parapharyngeal space

Pharyngeal lymph tissue Pharyngeal lymphatic ring(waldeyer lymphat

ic ring)

inner ring

outer ring

Waldeyer lymphatic ring

Structure of pharyngeal lymphatic ring

Pharyngeal submucous lymph tissue

(inner ring)

Lymph node of neck（ outer ring ）

•adenoid tonsil

•tubal tonsils

•tonsilla palatina

•lateral pharyngeal bands

•folliculus lymphaticus of pharyngeal posterior wall

•lingual tonsil

retropharyngeal lymph nodes

lymph nodes of mandibular angle

submandibular lymph nodes

submental lymph nodes

drain to

Tonsilla palatina (1) anatomy feature

a 、 location

b 、 appearance

c 、 construction features

Tonsilla palatina(2) blood vessel ：① descending palatine artery

②ascending palatine artery

③tonsillar artery

④tonsillar branch of ascending

pharyngeal artery

⑤dorsal artery of tongue

(3) nerves ： ① pharyngeal plexus

② superior maxillary nerve ( 2) Ⅴ ③ branches glossopharyngeal nerve.

Pharyngeal blood vessels and nerves

arteries

veins

nerves

1 、 how many sections has the pharynx been divided into? What are those anatomy defining points ?

2 、 what is the composition of pharyngeal lymphatic ring (waldeyer lymphatic ring)?

3 、 what is the blood apply of tonsilla palatina?