What is the pharyngeal plexus

: a plexus formed by branches of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and sympathetic nerves supplying the muscles and mucous membrane of the pharynx and adjoining parts.

What forms the pharyngeal plexus?

The pharyngeal plexus sends some branches between the middle and inferior constrictors and other branches between the superior and middle constrictors 4,6. It is formed by the pharyngeal branches from the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves and the cervical sympathetic 3-7.

Where is pharyngeal plexus located?

The plexus is located in the retropharyngeal space close to the longus capitis and colli muscles, the prevertebral fascia, the vertebral bodies of the second and third cervical vertebrae posteriorly, and the posterior wall of the pharynx, and is closer to the superior and middle constrictor anteriorly [18, 37].

What is the meaning of pharyngeal plexus?

The pharyngeal plexus lies on the posterolateral wall of the pharynx, mainly over the middle pharyngeal constrictor and is the main motor and sensory nerve supply to the muscles of the pharynx and soft palate and acts to coordinate swallowing and speech 1-7.

What does the pharyngeal nerve do?

The pharyngeal nerve enters the pharynx and divides into the pharyngeal plexus to supply the muscles noted previously. The superior laryngeal nerve descends and divides to reach the cricothyroid and the inferior constrictor muscles.

What does vagus nerve innervate?

The recurrent laryngeal nerve branches from the vagus in the lower neck and upper thorax to innervate the muscles of the larynx (voice box). The vagus also gives off cardiac, esophageal, and pulmonary branches. In the abdomen the vagus innervates the greater part of the digestive tract and other abdominal viscera.

Are pharyngeal constrictors voluntary?

The pharyngeal muscles (involuntary skeletal) push food into the esophagus. There are two muscular layers of the pharynx: the outer circular layer and the inner longitudinal layer. The outer circular layer includes: Inferior constrictor muscle.

What nerve Innervates the throat?

The vagus nerve is the large nerve that supplies the many branches of nerves that innervate the larynx.

What is Cranial root of accessory nerve?

The accessory nerve is traditionally described as having both spinal and cranial roots, with the spinal root originating from the upper cervical segments of the spinal cord and the cranial root originating from the dorsolateral surface of the medulla oblongata.

What is the Palatoglossus?

The palatoglossus muscle, also known as musculus palatoglossus, is among the four extrinsic muscles of the tongue and the paired muscles of the soft palate. … These pillars separate the oral cavity and the oropharynx — the muscle functions as an antagonist to the levator veli palatini muscle.

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Where is pharyngeal?

The pharynx (plural: pharynges) is the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, and above the oesophagus and trachea (the tubes going down to the stomach and the lungs). It is found in vertebrates and invertebrates, though its structure varies across species.

Is the pharynx the throat?

The throat (pharynx) is a muscular tube that runs from the back of your nose down into your neck. It contains three sections: the nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx, which is also called the hypopharynx.

Which nerve is responsible for gag reflex?

The afferent limb of the reflex is supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX), which inputs to the nucleus solitarius and the spinal trigeminal nucleus. The efferent limb is supplied by the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) from the nucleus ambiguus. All of these are located in the medulla.

Where are the cranial nerves?

The cranial nerves are all located on the underside of your brain inside your skull. They come in pairs, one on each side of the brain, and are numbered in Roman numerals I through XII. These are often labeled as CN I, CN II, and so on.

Where does the vagus nerve begin and end?

Vagus nerve branches in the thorax On the right side, it arises from the trunk of the vagus as it lies beside the trachea. On the left side, it originates from the recurrent laryngeal nerve only. These branches end in the deep part of the cardiac plexus.

What are pharyngeal constrictors?

The pharyngeal constrictor muscles form a funnel, and the mouth of the esophagus is like a transverse slit at the bottom of this funnel. At the esophageal inlet, the fibers of the cricopharyngeal muscle run transversely, thus forming the UES.

What elevates the larynx?

Inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles: attaches anteriorly along the lateral regions of the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, and runs superiorly and posteriorly to meet with opposing fibers at the posterior median raphe of the pharynx. This muscle elevates the larynx.

What muscle elevates the pharynx?

Palatopharyngeus muscle It elevates the pharynx in order to close off the nasopharynx during swallowing.

What can trigger the vagus nerve?

  • Breathe more slowly (aim for six breaths per minute).
  • Breathe more deeply, from the belly. Think about expanding your abdomen and widening your rib cage as you inhale.
  • Exhale longer than you inhale.

Where does the vagus nerve originate?

The vagus nerve arises from the fourth branchial arch; this arch is also responsible for the development of the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles, the laryngeal cartilages, the aortic arch, and subclavian artery.

What is cranial root?

Some texts consider the “cranial” root, which arises from the caudal portion of the nucleus ambiguus, as part of the accessory nerve. The nerve fibers of the cranial root arise from the 10th cranial (vagus) nerve nucleus and supply the same target musculature as the vagus nerve.

Why is accessory nerve called accessory?

The sternocleidomastoid muscle tilts and rotates the head, while the trapezius muscle, connecting to the scapula, acts to shrug the shoulder. … Consequently, the term “accessory nerve” usually refers only to nerve supplying the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, also called the spinal accessory nerve.

Where does vagus nerve pass through diaphragm?

It forms the posterior vagal trunk at the lower part of the esophagus and enters the diaphragm through the esophageal hiatus. The left vagus nerve enters the thorax between left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery and descends on the aortic arch.

What nerve supplies vocal cords?

The primary innervation to the vocal folds comes from branches of the vagus nerve, which are the superior and inferior laryngeal nerves. The superior laryngeal nerve splits into the external laryngeal nerve and the internal laryngeal nerve approximately at the level of the greater horn of the hyoid.

Which nerve controls the vocal cords?

The nerve that controls motion to the vocal folds is called cranial nerve X (also known as the vagus nerve). You can think of nerves like the electrical wiring to the voice box. The branch that controls the opening and closing of the vocal folds is called the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

What nerve closes vocal cords?

The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) carries signals to different voice box muscles responsible for opening, closing, and adjusting tension in the vocal cords. Healthy function of this nerve is needed for breathing, speaking, coughing, and swallowing.

What is between the Palatoglossus and Palatopharyngeus?

Structure. It is separated from the palatoglossus muscle by an angular interval, in which the palatine tonsil is lodged. … The anterior fasciculus, the thicker, lies in the soft palate between the levator and tensor veli palatini muscles, and joins in the middle line the corresponding part of the opposite muscle.

Why is it called Palatoglossus?

Origin of the Palatoglossus The palatine aponeurosis is a fibrous sheet that is located at the back roof of the mouth. At the roof of the mouth, you have a hard palate and soft palate. … As its name suggests, the soft palate is much softer than the hard palate.

What is the styloglossus muscle?

The styloglossus muscle is an extrinsic muscle of the tongue, and its origin in the styloid process of the temporal bone is well documented. However, some authors have noted variations in its origin.

Which part crosses the digestive and respiratory pipe?

The pharynx is part of the digestive system as well as the respiratory system because it carries both food and air.

What's the throat called?

Anatomy of the pharynx (throat). The pharynx is a hollow tube that starts behind the nose, goes down the neck, and ends at the top of the trachea and esophagus. The three parts of the pharynx are the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx.

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