What are the boundaries between each part of the pharynx?
The boundaries of the pharynx are the mouth and the nasal choanae anteriorly; the soft palate, or velum, and portions of the skull base superiorly; the posterior tongue inferiorly; and the pharyngeal constrictors posteriorly.
What is the boundary between the nasopharynx and oropharynx?
soft palate – this structure actually marks the boundary between the nasopharynx and oropharynx.
What are the boundaries of nasopharynx?
Boundaries of the nasopharynx[1][2]: Superiorly: the skull base. Anteriorly: the nasal cavity. Posteriorly: posterior pharyngeal wall.
What anatomical landmark is presented in the boundary between the oropharynx and laryngopharynx?
The epiglottis lies between the oropharynx and the laryngopharynx, and it is a flap of elastic cartilage that closes during swallowing to ensure food enters the esophagus rather than the trachea.
What are the boundaries of oropharynx?
The oropharynx is defined anatomically by certain boundaries as well. It is bound superiorly by the undersurface of the soft palate and inferiorly by the root of the posterior tongue and the epiglottis.
What is the nasopharynx?
Listen to pronunciation. (NAY-zoh-FAYR-inx) The upper part of the throat behind the nose. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into the ear.
What makes nasopharynx different from oropharynx and laryngopharynx?
The nasopharynx is the portion of the pharynx that is posterior to the nasal cavity and extends inferiorly to the uvula. The oropharynx is the portion of the pharynx that is posterior to the oral cavity.
What is the superior boundary of the oropharynx?
The superior border of the oropharynx is located at the soft palate and the ridge of pharyngeal musculature (Passavant’s ridge) that opposes the soft palate when the soft palate is elevated. The oropharynx is bordered inferiorly by the vallecula.
What is the inferior boundary of the nasopharynx?
The inferior border of the nasopharynx is defined as the pharyngeal isthmus, an opening that leads into the oropharynx formed by the back of the soft palate and the posterior wall of the pharynx. The anterior border, in essence, does not exist since the nasopharynx communicates anteriorly with the nasal cavity.
What does the laryngopharynx do?
Laryngopharynx (or hypopharynx): The bottom part of the throat is near the larynx (or voice box). It regulates the passage of air to the lungs and food and fluid to the esophagus.
What are the boundaries of the laryngopharynx?
The laryngopharynx is the lowest third of the interior pharynx and communicates with the larynx through the inlet of the larynx, also known as the aditus. Specifically, its superior border is the epiglottis and oropharynx and its inferior border is the posterior surface of the cricoid cartilage of the larynx.
What are the main function of nasopharynx?
The nasopharynx functions as an airway in the respiratory system. Also contained within the nasopharynx are the adenoids, or pharyngeal tonsils.
What are the walls and boundaries of the nasopharynx?
Walls and Boundaries of the Nasopharynx. In the front, it has the posterior nares and the back part of the nasal septum [4]. Inferiorly, the soft palate marks the boundary between the nasopharynx and the following section of the pharynx, oropharynx [1].
Is the oropharynx part of the pharynx?
The oropharynx forms part of the pharynx, being the continuation of the oral cavity and nasopharynx superiorly, and the larynx and hypopharynx inferiorly. The oropharynx is the posterior continuation of the oral cavity and the inferior continuation of the nasopharynx. anteriorly: circumvallate papillae, anterior tonsillar pillars, soft palate.
What is the boundary between the nasopharynx and soft palate?
Walls and Boundaries of the Nasopharynx. Inferiorly, the soft palate marks the boundary between the nasopharynx and the following section of the pharynx, oropharynx [1]. The nasopharynx is primarily lined by two types of epithelia, with the stratified squamous epithelium comprising around 60% of its inner walls [5].
What are the three regions of the pharynx?
The pharynx is made up of three separate regions: the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx. Nasopharynx: The nasopharynx is the most rostral portion of the pharynx and refers to the region between the base of the cranium and the soft palate.