Physiology of

Pharynx - Larynx

Ratna Kusumawati
Bag/Lab. Fisiologi
FK UNS
PHARYNX
- Pharynx is a conical fibromuscular tube
forming upper part of air and food passages.
- Structure of Pharyngeal wall from
outwards 4 layers :
Mucous membrane
Pharyngeal aponeurosis
Muscular coat
Buccopharyngeal fascia.
Functions
 As a conduit for passage of food and air.
 Helps in the pharyngeal phase of deglutition.
 Helps in appreciation of taste : taste bubs
present on the base of tongue,soft
palate,anterior pillars &post pharyngeal walls.
 Provides local defence & immunity.
 Drainage mucus from nasopharynx
 Reflex action
Enlarged tonsils
Functions
 Protective role & act as sentinels at the
portal of air & food passages.
 Crypts : increase the surface area for
contact with the foreign substances.
 Removed when themselves become seat
of infection.
Basic Functions
 Protection
 Respiration
 Phonation
 Closure of glottis

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 Protection
 Acts as a sphincter
◦ Closure of the laryngeal
◦ Closure of the glottis
◦ Cessation of respiration
◦ Cough relfex, expulsion of secretions
and foreign bodies

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 Protection

 3 Sphincteric tiers of airway protection:

◦ Contraction of superior division of the
thyroarytenoid muscles
◦ Contraction of middle thyroarytenoid fibers
◦ Contraction of inferior division of thyroarytenoid

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Phonation in brief
 Voice produced by
vibration of the vocal
cords
 Fundamental tone
produced at the
larynx
 Modified by
resonating chambers

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Anatomy and Physiology of
Normal Swallowing

Phases of Swallowing
• Oral/Bucal Phase
• Pharyngeal Phase
• Esophageal Phase

-Facilitated by saliva, mucous secretions

- Involves mouth, pharynx, esophagus
1. Buccal phase
 Voluntary
 Moves bolus to
oropharynx
2. Pharyngeal phase
- Involuntary
- Receptors in oropharynx
stimulate medulla and pons
to:
1. Block mouth with tongue
2. Block nasopharynx with
soft palate
3. Raise larynx to seal
epiglottis, blocking airways
4. Relax upper esophageal
sphincter
◦ Bolus is moved through
pharynx into esophagus
3. Esophageal stage
◦ Upper esophageal
sphincter closes
◦ Gastroesopaheal
sphincter opens
◦ Esophagus controls
involuntary peristaltic
movement
◦ Epiglottis reopens
◦ Bolus moves from
esophagus to stomach
Anatomy and Physiology of Normal
Swallowing
Abnormal Swallowing

Dysphagia - difficulty in swallowing

 CAUSES OF DYSPHAGIA

 Structural abnormalities
◦ Oesophageal neoplasm
◦ Peptic stricture
◦ Incarcerated hiatal hernia
 Motility disorders
◦ Achalasia
etc