Pharynx

Topics in this chapter

• Pharyngeal Anatomy and Spaces
• Nerve Supply and Palatal Muscles
• Pharyngeal Blood Supply
• Pharyngeal Embryology
• Nasopharyngeal and Tonsillar Disorders
• Hypopharyngeal Lesions and Diverticula

Practice questions

1. Question 1Q-467B09

   A 55-year-old chronic smoker and alcoholic presents with progressive dysphagia to solids, foul-smelling breath, and a noticeable gurgling sound in his neck when swallowing. He occasionally regurgitates undigested food eaten hours earlier. A barium swallow reveals a posterior pouch arising between the oblique fibers of the thyropharyngeus and the horizontal fibers of the cricopharyngeus muscle. What is the most accurate anatomical and pathological term for this lesion?

   1. A.Killian dehiscence / Zenker diverticulum
   2. B.Laimer triangle / Traction diverticulum
   3. C.Sinus of Morgagni / Epiphrenic diverticulum
   4. D.Rosenmüller fossa / Lateral pharyngeal pouch
   See the answer and solution
2. Question 2Q-A27181

   A 10-year-old child presents with recurrent throat infections, nasal speech, and mouth breathing. On examination, a large, pale, midline mass is seen hanging from the posterior and superior wall of the nasopharynx, obstructing the choanae. This structure arises from which of the following embryonic lining tissues?

   1. A.Endoderm of the foregut
   2. B.Ectoderm of the stomodeum
   3. C.Mesoderm of the branchial arches
   4. D.Neuroectoderm of the neural crest
   See the answer and solution
3. Question 3Q-9BBA28

   During a radical neck dissection for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, a surgeon accidentally injures a nerve that lies immediately deep to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and runs across the superior constrictor muscle, accompanying the stylopharyngeus. Which of the following muscles is paralyzed as a direct result of this nerve injury?

   1. A.Stylopharyngeus
   2. B.Tensor veli palatini
   3. C.Palatopharyngeus
   4. D.Styloglossus
   See the answer and solution
4. Question 4Q-852DC0

   A 45-year-old man presents with severe intractable otalgia referred from a silent mucosal lesion in the pharynx. The sensory innervation of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx is primarily supplied by which of the following nerves?

   1. A.Maxillary nerve (CN V2) via the pharyngeal branch
   2. B.Mandibular nerve (CN V3) via the lingual branch
   3. C.Facial nerve (CN VII) via the greater petrosal nerve
   4. D.Vagus nerve (CN X) via the internal laryngeal nerve
   See the answer and solution
5. Question 5Q-90D538

   A 30-year-old male is diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma involving the lateral wall of the nasopharynx. The tumor has eroded through the skull base via a specific foramen, affecting cranial nerves IX, X, and XI. Which of the following foramina is most likely involved?

   1. A.Foramen lacerum
   2. B.Jugular foramen
   3. C.Foramen ovale
   4. D.Hypoglossal canal
   See the answer and solution