ANATOMÍA | Faringe (Nasofaringe, Orofaringe y Laringolaringe) | BLASTO

Understanding the Pharynx

Overview of the Pharynx

• The pharynx serves as a part of both the respiratory and digestive systems, featuring different epithelial types in its sections: respiratory epithelium in the nasopharynx and squamous non-keratinized epithelium in the oropharynx and laryngopharynx.

Anatomical Structure

• The pharynx extends from the base of the skull at the pharyngeal tubercle (occipital bone) to the level of vertebra C6, marking its lower boundary at the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage.

Divisions of the Pharynx

• It is divided into three portions:

• Nasopharynx: Communicates with nasal cavity; features vertical posterior wall related to cervical vertebrae.

• Oropharynx: Located below nasopharynx; upper limit is soft palate, lower limit is base of tongue.

• Laryngopharynx: Extends from superior border of epiglottis to inferior border of cricoid cartilage.

Musculature and Innervation

• The pharyngeal muscles include:

• Superior Constrictor: From mandible to pharyngeal tubercle.

• Middle Constrictor: From stylohyoid ligament to raphe.

• Inferior Constrictor: From thyroid cartilage to cricopharyngeus portion.

• All are innervated by branches from the vagus nerve via the pharyngeal plexus. Additionally, other muscles like stylopharyngess are innervated by glossopharyngeal nerve.

Vascular Supply and Venous Drainage

• The pharynx receives blood supply primarily from:

• Ascending pharyngeal artery,

• Superior thyroid artery,

• Maxillary artery,

• Facial artery.

• Venous drainage occurs through plexuses that lead into internal jugular vein and subclavian vein.

Lymphatic System