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Anatomy

The Hard Palate

  • The anterior bony part of the palate is formed by the palatine process of the maxillae and the horizontal plates of the palatine bones.
  • Anteriorly and laterally, the hard palate is bounded by the alveolar processes and the gingivae.
  • Posteriorly, the hard palate is continuous with the soft palate.
  • The incisive foramen is the mouth of the incisive canal.
  • This foramen is located posterior to the maxillary central incisor teeth.
  • This foramen is the common opening for the right and left incisive canals.
  • The incisive canal and foramen transmit the nasopalatine nerve and the terminal branches of the sphenopalatine artery.
  • Medial to the third molar tooth, the greater palatine foramen pierces the lateral border of the bony palate.
  • The greater palatine vessels and nerve emerge from this foramen and run anteriorly into two grooves on the palate.
  • The lesser palatine foramen transmits the lesser palatine nerve and vessels.
  • This runs to the soft palate and adjacent structures.

  • The tongue is divided into halves by a medial fibrous lingual septum that lies deep to the medial groove.
  • In each half of the tongue there are four extrinsic and four intrinsic muscles.
  • The lingual muscles are all supplied by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
  • The only exception is palatoglossus, which is supplied by the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve, via the pharyngeal plexus.

The Superior Roof of the Orbit

  • The superior wall or roof of the orbit is formed almost completely by the orbital plate of the frontal bone.
  • Posteriorly, the superior wall is formed by the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone.
  • The roof of the orbit is thin, translucent, and gently arched. This plate of bone separates the orbital cavity and the anterior cranial fossa.
  • The optic canal is located in the posterior part of the roof.

The Nasal Mucosa

  • Mucosa lines the entire nasal cavities except for the vestibule of the nose.
  • The nasal mucosa is firmly bound to the periosteum and perichondrium of the supporting structures of the nose.
  • It is continuous with the adjoining cavities to which the nasal cavity communicates (e.g., the nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses).
  • The inferior 2/3 of the nasal mucosa is called the respiratory area and air passing over this is warmed and moistened before it passes into the lungs.
  • The superior 1/3 is called the olfactory area.

The Olfactory Area of Nasal Mucosa

  • This area contains the peripheral organ of smell.
  • Sniffing draws air into this area
  • Olfactory receptor cells (from the olfactory nerve, CN I, are located in the mucosa of this area in the nose.

Nerves to the Respiratory Area of Nasal Mucosa

  • The inferior 2/3 of the nasal mucosa are supplied chiefly by the trigeminal nerve (CN V).
  • The mucous membrane of the nasal septum is supplied chiefly by the nasopalatine nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2).
  • Its anterior portion is supplied by the anterior ethmoidal nerve (a branch of the nasociliary nerve) which is derived from the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1).
  • The lateral walls of the nasal cavity are supplied by branches of the maxillary nerve (CN V2); the greater palatine nerve, and the anterior ethmoidal nerve.

Arteries of the Nasal Mucosa

  • The blood supply of the mucosa of the nasal septum is derived mainly from the maxillary artery.
  • The sphenopalatine artery, a branch of the maxillary, supplies most of the blood of the nasal mucosa.
  • It enters by the sphenopalatine foramen and sends branches to the posterior regions of the lateral wall and to the nasal septum.
  • The greater palatine artery, also a branch of the maxillary, passes through the incisive foramen to supply the nasal septum.
  • The anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries, branches of the ophthalmic artery, supply the anterosuperior part of the mucosa of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity and nasal septum.
  • Three branches of the facial artery (superior labial, ascending palatine, and lateral nasal) also supply the anterior parts of the nasal mucosa.

Veins of the Nasal Mucosa

  • The veins of the nasal mucosa form a venous network of plexus in the connective tissue of the nasal mucosa.
  • Some of the veins open into the sphenopalatine vein and drain to the pterygoid plexus.
  • Others join the facial and infraorbital veins.
  • Some empty into the ophthalmic veins and drain into the cavernous sinus.

  • U-shaped bone
  • Body
  • Greater horn
  • Lesser horn
  • Suspended by ligaments from the styloid process
 

Mylohyoid Muscle

  • Origin: Mylohyoid line of the mandible.
  • Insertion: Median raphe and body of the hyoid bone.
  • Nerve Supply: Nerve to mylohyoid (branch of the trigeminal nerve, CN V3).
  • Arterial Supply: Sublingual branch of the lingual artery and submental branch of the facial artery.
  • Action: Elevates the hyoid bone, base of the tongue, and floor of the mouth; depresses the mandible.

The Laryngopharynx

  • The laryngeal part of the pharynx lies posterior to the larynx.
  • It extends from the superior border of the epiglottis to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage, where it narrows to become continuous with the oesophagus.
  • Posteriorly, the laryngopharynx is related to the bodies of C4 to C6 vertebrae.
  • Its posterior and lateral walls are formed by the middle and inferior constrictor muscles, with the palatopharyngeus and stylopharyngeus internally.
  • The laryngopharynx communicates with the larynx through the aditus or inlet of the larynx.
  • The piriform recess is a small, pear-shaped depression of the laryngopharyngeal cavity on each side of the inlet of the larynx.

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