A deep depression in the wall of the laryngeal pharynx lying lateral to the orifice of the larynx. It is bounded laterally by the thyroid cartilage and medially by the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages. It is a common site for lodgment of foreign objects.
What is the valleculae and pyriform sinuses?
The valleculae and the pyriform sinuses are known as the pharyngeal recesses or side pockets, into which food may fall and reside before or after the swallowing reflex triggers. Esophagus – consists of a hollow muscular tube 23 to 25 cm long with a sphincter at each end.
What are the piriform fossae?
The piriform fossae are the 2 pear-shaped cavities lateral to the laryngeal vestibule at the lower end of the vocal tract. They act acoustically as side-branches to the main tract, resulting in a spectral zero in the output of the human voice.
Is the Vallecula part of the hypopharynx?
The hypopharynx extends from the level of the hyoid bone and valleculae to the cricopharyngeus (or inferior margin of the cricoid cartilage on imaging studies). Its three major anatomic subsites include the pyriform sinus, postcricoid area, and posterior pharyngeal wall.
What is the role of the piriform fossa?
The piriform fossa forms the bottom part of the pharynx and acts as a pair of side branches of the vocal tract.
Does the piriform recess lies posterior and lateral to the larynx?
The pyriform sinus (also spelled piriform sinus and also known as the pyriform recess, pyriform fossa, and smuggler’s fossa) is the pear-shaped subsite of the hypopharynx located posterolaterally to either side of the laryngeal opening.
What is the vallecula groove?
: an anatomical groove, channel, or depression especially : one between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis.
What nerve is in the piriform recess?
Deep to the mucous membrane of the pyriform fossa lie the recurrent laryngeal nerve as well as the internal laryngeal nerve, a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. The internal laryngeal nerve supplies sensation to the area, and it may become damaged if the mucous membrane is inadvertently punctured.
What is the importance of the piriform recess?
This sinus is a common place for food particles to become trapped; if foreign material becomes lodged in the piriform fossa of an infant, it may be retrieved nonsurgically. If the area is injured (e.g., by a fish bone), it can give the sensation of food stuck in the subject’s throat.
Are hypopharynx and oropharynx the same?
The throat (pharynx) is a muscular tube that runs from the back of your nose down into your neck. It contains three sections: the nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx, which is also called the hypopharynx.
What and where is the piriform fossa recess and what is its clinical significance?
The entrance to the larynx, viewed from behind, with Pyriform sinus labeled at bottom left. Found in laryngopharynx easily The pyriform sinus is a subsite of the hypopharynx. This distinction is important for head and neck cancer staging and treatment.
