Oropharynx
Updates to Article Attributes
Body
was changed:
The oropharynx forms part of the pharynx, being the continuation of the oral cavity and nasopharynx superiorly, and the larynx and hypopharynx inferiorly. It also forms part of the upper respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract.
Gross anatomy
Boundaries
- anteriorly: vertical plane defined by the circumvallate papillae, anterior tonsillar pillars, and border of hard and soft palate
- posteriorly: posterior pharyngeal wall
- superiorly: level of the soft palate free border
- inferiorly: level of the hyoid bone or tip of epiglottis
- laterally: tonsillar fossae and pillars
Contents
- base of tongue (i.e. posterior third), including lingual tonsils
- palatine tonsils, tonsillar fossae, and tonsillar pillars
- glossotonsillar sulci
- inferior surface of the soft palate
- uvula
- vallecula
- posterior pharyngeal wall
For staging purposes, the lingual (anterior) surface of the epiglottis is excluded and instead classified as part of the larynx, and the nasopharyngeal (superior) surface of the soft palate is excluded and instead classified as part of the nasopharynx.
Arterial Supply
Related pathology
-<p>The <strong>oropharynx</strong> forms part of the <a href="/articles/pharynx">pharynx</a>, being the continuation of the <a href="/articles/oral-cavity-1">oral cavity</a> and <a href="/articles/nasopharynx">nasopharynx</a> superiorly, and the <a href="/articles/larynx">larynx</a> and <a href="/articles/hypopharynx">hypopharynx</a> inferiorly. It also forms part of the <a href="/articles/respiratory-tract">upper respiratory tract</a> and the <a title="Gastrointestinal tract" href="/articles/gastrointestinal-tract">gastrointestinal tract</a>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Boundaries</h5><ul>- +<p>The <strong>oropharynx</strong> forms part of the <a href="/articles/pharynx">pharynx</a>, being the continuation of the <a href="/articles/oral-cavity-1">oral cavity</a> and <a href="/articles/nasopharynx">nasopharynx</a> superiorly, and the <a href="/articles/larynx">larynx</a> and <a href="/articles/hypopharynx">hypopharynx</a> inferiorly. It also forms part of the <a href="/articles/respiratory-tract">upper respiratory tract</a> and the <a href="/articles/gastrointestinal-tract">gastrointestinal tract</a>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Boundaries</h5><ul>
-<li>ascending palatine branch of the <a href="/articles/facial-artery">facial artery</a>- +<li>
- +<a title="Ascending palatine artery" href="/articles/ascending-palatine-artery">ascending palatine branch</a> of the <a href="/articles/facial-artery">facial artery</a>
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