PHARYNX 



293 



and posterior walls of the pharynx are always closely applied 

 to each other, except during the passage of food. 



The otsophageal opening is placed opposite the lower border 

 of the cricoid cartilage, at the narrowest part of the 

 pharynx. 



Velum Palatinum. The soft palate is a movable curtain, 

 which projects downwards and backwards into the pharynx. 

 During deglutition it is raised, and helps to shut off the 

 nasal part of the pharynx from the portion below. Anteriorly, 

 it is attached to the posterior margin of the hard palate ; on 

 each side it is connected with the side wall of the pharynx ; 

 whilst posteriorly it presents a free border. From the centre 



Thyreo-hyoid ligament 



Plica vocalis 

 Processus vocalis 

 Arytaenoid cartilage 



Platysma 

 Posterior wa 



of pharynx 

 Retropharyn- 

 geal space 



Carotid sheath 



M. sternohyoideus 



M. thyreohyoideus 



Thyreoid cartilage 

 M. omohyoideus 

 Recessus piriformis 

 Superior thyreoid 

 Descendens 

 hypoglossi 

 Common carotid 

 Internal jugular 



Vagus 



Scalenus anterior 



M. longus colli Vertebral artery 



Sympathetic trunk 



FIG. 112. Transverse section through the Neck at the level of upper 

 part of the Thyreoid Cartilage. 



of the free margin the conical process, termed the uvula, 

 projects ; whilst the sharp concave part of the border, on each 

 side of the uvula, becomes continuous with the pharyngo- 

 palatine arch, which descends on the side-wall of the pharynx. 

 The upper surface of the soft palate is convex and continuous 

 with the floor of the nasal cavities. The inferior surface is 

 concave and forms part of the vaulted roof of the mouth 

 and the roofs of the supra-tonsillar recesses. From the 

 posterior part of the inferior surface, on each side, a glosso- 

 palatine arch curves downwards ; and along its median plane 

 may be seen a slightly marked median ridge or raphe. 



The soft palate is composed of a fold of mucous membrane, 

 between the two layers of which are interposed muscular, 



in 19 a 



