NEET MDS Lessons
Anatomy
The Nasopharynx
- The nasal part of the pharynx has a respiratory function.
- It lies superior to the soft palate and is a posterior extension of the nasal cavity.
- The nose opens into the nasopharynx via to large posterior apertures called choanae.
- The roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx form a continuous surface that lies inferior to the body of the sphenoid bone and the basilar part of the occipital bone.
- In the mucous membrane of the roof of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx is a collection of lymphoid tissue, known as the pharyngeal tonsil (commonly known as the adenoids).
- The pharyngeal orifice of the auditory tube is on the lateral wall of the nasopharynx, 1 to 1.5 cm posterior to the inferior concha, and level with the superior border of the palate.
- The orifice is directed inferiorly and has a hood-like tubal elevation over it called the torus of the auditory tube or the torus tubarius (L. torus, swelling).
- Extending inferiorly from the torus is a vertical fold of mucous membrane, known as the salpingopharyngeal fold.
- The collection of lymphoid tissue in the submucosa of the pharynx, posterior to the orifice of the auditory tube, is known as the tubal tonsil.
- Posterior to the torus and the salpingopharyngeal fold, there is a slit-like lateral projection of the pharynx called the pharyngeal recess.
- It extends laterally and posteriorly.
Muscles of the larynx
Extrinsic muscles
suprahyoid: raise larynx, depress mandible for swallowing
infrahyoid: lower larynx for swallowing
both stabilize hyoid for tongue movements
The Palate
- The palate forms the arched roof of the mouth and the floor of the nasal cavities.
- The palate consists of two regions: the anterior 2/3 or bony part, called the hard palate, and the mobile posterior 1/3 or fibromuscular part, known as the soft palate.
Internal Muscles of the Pharynx
- The internal, chiefly longitudinal muscular layer, consists of 3 muscles: stylopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus, and salpingopharyngeus.
- They all elevate the larynx and pharynx during swallowing and speaking.
The Stylopharyngeus Muscle
- This is a long, thin, conical muscles that descends inferiorly between the external and internal carotid arteries.
- It enters the wall of the pharynx between the superior and middle constrictor muscles.
- Origin: styloid process of temporal bone.
- Insertion: posterior and superior borders of thyroid cartilage with palatopharyngeus muscle.
- Innervation: glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).
- It elevates the pharynx and larynx and expands the sides of the pharynx, thereby aiding in pulling the pharyngeal wall over a bolus of food.
The Palatopharyngeus Muscle
- This is a thin muscle and the overlying mucosa form the palatopharyngeal arch.
The Salpingopharyngeus Muscle
- This is a slender muscle that descends in the lateral wall of the pharynx.
- The over lying mucous membrane forms the salpingopharyngeal fold.
- Origin: cartilaginous part of the auditory tube.
- Insertion: blends with palatopharyngeus muscle.
- Innervation: through the pharyngeal plexus.
- It elevates the pharynx and larynx and opens the pharyngeal orifice of the auditory tube during swallowing.
->The two parietal bones (L. paries, wall) form large parts of the walls of the calvaria.
->On the outside of these smooth convex bones, there are slight elevations near the centre called parietal eminences.
->The middle of the lateral surfaces of the parietal bones is crossed by two curved lines, the superior and inferior temporal lines.
->The superior temporal line indicates an attachment of the temporal fascia; the inferior temporal line marks the superior limit of the temporalis muscle.
->The parietal bones articulate with each other in the median plane at the sagittal suture. The medial plane of the body passes through the sagittal suture.
->The inverted V-shaped suture between the parietal bones and the occipital bones is called the lambdoid suture because of its resemblance to the letter lambda in the Greek alphabet.
->The point where the parietal and occipital bones join is a useful reference point called the lambda. It can be felt as a depression in some people.
->In addition to articulation with each other and the frontal and occipital bones, the parietal bones articulate with the temporal bones and the greater wings of the sphenoid bone.
->In foetal and infant skulls, the bones of the calvaria are separated by dense connective tissue membranes at sutures.
->The large fibrous area where several sutures meet are called fonticuli or fontanelles.
->The softness of these bones and looseness of their connections at these sutures enable the calvaria to undergo changes of shape during birth called molding. Within a day or so after birth, the shape of the infant’s calvaria returns to normal.
->The loose construction of the new-born calvaria also allows the skull to enlarge and undergo remodelling during infancy and childhood.
->Relationships between the various bones are constantly changing during the active growth period.
->The increase in the size of the cranium is greatest during the first 2 years, the period of most rapid postnatal growth of the brain.
->The cranium normally increases in capacity until about 15 or 16 years of age; thereafter the cranium usually increases only slightly in size as its bones thicken for 3 to 4 years.
Histology
Histology is the study of tissues.
A tissue is a group of cells with similar structure and function plus the extracellular substances located between the cells.
There are four basic types of tissues:
- Epitheliums
- Connective tissue
- Muscle tissue
- Nervous tissue
The Nose
- The nose is the superior part of the respiratory tract and contains the peripheral organ of smell.
- It is divided into right and left nasal cavities by the nasal septum.
- The nasal cavity is divided into the olfactory area and the respiratory area.