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Anatomy - NEETMDS- courses
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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.

​​​​​​​The Tongue

  • The tongue (L. lingua; G. glossa) is a highly mobile muscular organ that can vary greatly in shape.
  • It consists of three parts, a root, body, and tip.
  • The tongue is concerned with mastication, taste, deglutition (swallowing), articulation (speech), and oral cleansing.
  • Its main functions are squeezing food into the pharynx when swallowing, and forming words during speech.

The Layers of the Pharyngeal Wall

  • The pharyngeal wall is composed of 5 layers. From internal to external, they are as follows.
  • Mucous membrane: this lines the pharynx and is continuous with all chambers with which it communicates.
  • Submucosa
  • Pharyngobasilar fascia: this is a fibrous layer that is attached to the skull.
  • Muscular layer: this is composed of inner longitudinal and outer circular parts.
  • Buccopharyngeal fascia: this is a loose connective tissue layer.
  • This fascia is continuous with the fascia covering the buccinator and pharyngeal muscle.
  • It contains the pharyngeal plexus of nerves and veins.

LYMPHOID SYSTEM

Consists of cells, tissues and organs

Protects the body against damage by foreign substances

Immuno competent cells in the lymphoid system distinguish between the bodies own molecules and foreign molecules.

The response is immunity.

lymphoid tissues have a: - reticular framework (collagen III) consisting of:  reticular cells , (indistinguishable from fibroblasts) , lymphocytes, macrophages,  antigen presenting cells, plasma cells

Each organ has special features:

Capsulated – spleen, lymph nodes, thymus

Unencapsulated – tonsils,  Peyers patches. lymphoid nodules in: - alimentary canal

- Nodules in: respiratory tract,  urinary tract, reproductive tracts

2 Types of immunity:

- Cellular: Macrophages - destroy foreign cells

- Humeral – immunoglobulins and antibodies (glycoproteins) interact with foreign substances

- cellular and humeral immune system require accessory cells like: macrophages, antigen presenting cells

 

Thymus

Lymphocytes develop from mesenchym. The lymphocytes then invade an epithelial premordium .The epithelial cells are pushed apart by lymphocytes. Epithelial cells remain connected through desmosomes to form the epithelial reticular cells.  Septae from the capsule divide the thymus up into incomplete lobules (0,5-2 mm ). Each lobule has a cortex which is packed with lymphocytes. In the middle of the lobule is the lighter staining medulla. The cortex and medulla are continuous. Hassall's corpuscles, consisting of flat epithelial cells, lie in the medulla .The corpuscles increase in size and number through life

Thymus cells:

- Cortex and medulla have the same cells – only their proportions differ

- The predominant cell is the T lymphocytes and precursors

- There are also epithelial reticular cells with large oval nuclei. The cells are joined by desmosomes.

- A few mesenchymal reticular cells are also present.

- There are many macrophages.

Cortex:

- Only capillaries (no other vessels)

- small lymphocytes predominate

- here they do not form nodules

- epithelial cells surround groups of lymphocytes and blood vessels

- around the capillary is a space

- forms blood thymus barrier

- Layers of the blood thymus barrier:

- capillary wall endothelium

basal lamina

little CT with macrophages

- epithelial reticular cells - basal lamina

- cytoplasm of epithelial reticular cells

Medulla:

- Stains light because of many epithelial reticular cells

- 5% of thymic lymphocytes found in medulla

- mature lymphocytes - smaller than that of cortex

- leave through venules to populate organs such as the spleen and lymph nodes

- In the medulla the covering of capillaries by epithelial reticular cells is incomplete - no barrier

- Hassall's corpuscles

- 30 - 150µm .

- consists of layers of epithelial reticular cells

- the central part of the corpuscle may only be cell remnants

- unknown function

 

Lymph nodes

- Encapsulated

- found throughout the body

- form filters in the lymph tracts

- lymph penetrate through afferent lymph vessels on the convex surface

- exit through efferent lymph vessels of the hilum

- capsule send trabeculae into the node to divide it up into incomplete compartments

- reticular tissue provide the super structure

- under the capsule is a cortex – the cortex is absent at the hilum

- At the centre of the node and at the hilum is a medulla

- The cortex has a subcapsular sinus and peritrabecular sinuses

The sinuses:-

- Incompletely lined by reticular cells

- Have numerous macrophages

- fibres cross the sinuses

- they slow the flow of lymph down -

- so that the macrophages can get a chance to perform their function.

Primary and secondary lymphoid nodules

- Some lymphocytes in the cortex form spherical aggregations 0,2-1 mm Ø called primary nodules (or follicles)

- They contain mainly B lymphocytes but some T- lymphocytes are also present

- A germinal centre may develop in the middle of the nodule when an antigen is present. The nodule then becomes a secondary nodule, which is:

- light staining in the centre because:

- many B lymphocytes increase in size to become plasmablasts

- plasmablasts undergo mitosis to become plasmacytes

- plasmacytes migrate to the follicular periphery and then to the medullary cords where they mature

into plasma cells that secrete antibodies into the efferent lymph.

- lymphocytes that don’t differentiate into plasma cells remain small lymphocytes and are called memory

cells – which migrate to different parts of the body

- memory cells are capable of mounting a rapid humoral response on subsequent contact with the same antigen.

- In the nodules there are also follicular dendritic cells which are:

- non phagocytic

- with cytoplasmic extensions

- trap antigens on their surface

- present it to B and T lymphocytes which then respond

Paracortical Zone

- Between adjacent nodules and between the nodules and the medulla are loosely arranged lymphocytes which form the paracortical area or deep cortical area.

- The main cell type in this area is the T lymphocyte.

- They enter the lymph node with the blood and migrate into the paracortical zone.

- T lymphocytes are stimulated when presented with an antigen by the follicular dendritic cells.

- They transform into large lymphobasts which undergo mitosis to produce activated T lymphocytes.

- These activated T lymphocytes must go to the area of antigen stimulation to perform its function.

- When this happens the paracortex expand greatly.

- Later they join the efferent lymph to leave the lymph node.

- These lymphocytes disappear when the thymus is removed - especially if done at birth

 

The medulla

- Consists of medulla with branching cords separated by medullary sinusses.

- Througout the medulla are trabeculae.

- The cords contain numerous B lymphocytes and plasma cells.

- A few macrophages and T lymphocytes may also be present.

- Receive and circulate lymph from the cortical sinuses.

- Medullary sinuses communicate with efferent lymph vessels.

 

Spleen

- Largest lymphatic organ

- Many phagocytic cells

- Filters blood

- Form activated lymphocytes which go into the blood

- Form antibodies

General structures:

- Dense CT capsule with a few smooth muscle fibres encapsulate the spleen

- The capsule is thickened at the hilum.

- Trabeculae from the hilum carry blood vessels and nerves in and out of the spleen.

- The capsule divide the spleen into incomplete compartments.

- The spleen has no lymph vessels because it is a blood filter and not a lymph filter like the lymph nodes.

Splenic pulp

- The lymph nodules are called the white pulp

- The white pulp lies in dark red tissue called red pulp

- Red pulp is composed of splenic cords (Billroth cords) which lie between sinusoids

- Reticular tissue forms the superstructure for the spleen and contains:

- reticular cells

- macrophages

Blood circulation

- The splenic artery divide as it enters the hilum

- The arteries in the trabeculae are called trabecular arteries

- The trabecular arteries give of braches into the white pulp (central arteries).

- The artery may not lie in center but is still called a central artery.

- The central arteries give off branches to the white pulp which go through the white pulp to end in the marginal sinuses on the perimeter of the white pulp.

- The central artery continues into the red pulp (called the pulp artery) where it branches into straight arteries called penicilli.

- The penicilli continue as arterial capillaries some of which are sheated by macrophages.

- The blood from the arterial capillaries flow into the red pulp sinuses that lie between the red pulp cords.

- The way the blood gets from the capillaries into the sinuses is uncertain. It can either:

- Flow directly into the sinuses - closed theory

- Or flow through the spaces between the red pulp cord cells and then enter the sinusoid - open theory.

- Presently the open theory is popular.

- From the sinusoids the blood flow into the: - Red pulp veins

- which join the trabecular veins

- to form form the splenic vein

(Trabecular veins form channels without a wall lined by endothelium in the trabeculae.)

White pulp:

- Forms a lymph tissue sheath around the central artery

- The lymphocytes around the central artery is called the periarterial lymphatic sheath (PALS).

- Which contains mainly T lymphocytes

- So the PALS is chracterized by a central artery.

- True nodules may also be present as an extension of the PALS.

- They displace the central artery so that it lies eccentric.

- Nodules normally have a germinal center and consists mainly of B lymphocytes

- Between the red and white pulp there is a marginal zone consisting of:

- Many sinuses and of  loose lymphoid tissue.

- There are few lymphocytes

- many macrophages

- lots of blood antigens which

- play a major role in immunologic activity.

Red Pulp:

- In the fresh state this tissue has a red colour because of the many erythrocytes.

- Red pulp consists of splenic sinusses separated by splenic cords (cords of Billroth).

- Between reticular cells are macrophages, lymphocytes, granulocytes and plasma cells.

- Many of the macrophages are in the process of phagocytosing damaged erythrocytes.

- The splenic sinusoids are special sinusoidal vessels in the following ways:

- It has a dilated large irregular lumen

- Spaces between unusually shaped endothelial cells permit exchange between sinusoids and adjacent tissues. (The endothelial cells are very long arranged parallel to the direction of the vessel)

- The basal lamina of the sinusoid is not continuous but form rings.

 

Tonsils

- Tonsils are incompletely encapsulated lymphoid tissues

- There are - Palatine tonsils

- pharyngeal tonsils

- lingual tonsils

 

Palatine Tonsil

- Contains dense lymphoid tissue.

- Covered by stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium

- with an underlying CT capsule

- Crypts that enter the tissue end blind.

 

Lingual Tonsil

- Lie on the posterior 1/3 of the tongue.

- Crypts link up with underlying glands that flush them.

- Epithelial covering is the same as that of the palatine tonsil.

 

  • The tongue is divided into halves by a medial fibrous lingual septum that lies deep to the medial groove.
  • In each half of the tongue there are four extrinsic and four intrinsic muscles.
  • The lingual muscles are all supplied by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
  • The only exception is palatoglossus, which is supplied by the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve, via the pharyngeal plexus.

  • Articulations

    Classified according to their structure, composition,and movability
    •    Fibrous joints-surfaces of bones almost in direct contact with limited movement
        o    Syndesmosis-two bones united by interosseous ligaments
        o    Sutures-serrated margins of bones united by a thin layer of fibrous tissue
        o    Gomphosis-insertion of a cone-shaped process into a socket

    •    Cartilaginous joints-no joint cavity and contiguous bones united by cartilage
        o    Synchondrosis-ends of two bones approximated by hyaline cartilage
        o    Symphyses-approximating bone surfaces connected by fibrocartilage

    •    Synovial joints-approximating bone surfaces covered with cartilage; may be separated by a disk; attached by ligaments 
        o    Hinge-permits motion in one plane only
        o    Pivot-permits rotary movement in which a ring rotates around a central axis
        o    Saddle-opposing surfaces are convexconcave. allowing great freedom of motion
        o    Ball and socket - capable of movement in an infinite number of axes; rounded head of one bone moves in a cuplike cavity of the approximating bone

    Bursae
    •    Sacs filled with synovial fluid that are present where tendons rub against bone or where skjn rubs across bone
    •    Some bursae communicate with a joint cavity 
    •    Prominent bursae found at the elbow. hip, and knee'

    Movements
    •    Gliding
        o    Simplest kind of motion in a joint
        o    Movement on a joint that does not involve any angular or rotary motions
    •    Flexion-decreases the angle formed by the union of two bones
    •    Extension-increases the angle formed by the union of two bones
    •    Abduction-occurs by moving part of the appendicular skeleton away from the median plane of the body
    •    Adduction-occurs by moving part of the appendicular skeleton toward the median plane of the body
    •    Circumduction
        o    Occurs in ball-and-socket joints
        o    Circumscribes the conic space of one bone by the other bone
    •    Rotation-turning on an axis without being displaced from that axis
     

Veins of the Face

The Supratrochlear Vein

  • This vessel begins on the forehead from a network of veins connected to the frontal tributaries of the superficial temporal vein.
  • It descends near the medial plane with its fellow on the other side.
  • These veins diverge near the orbits, each joining a supraorbital vein to form the facial vein near the medial canthus (angle of the eye).

 

The Supraorbital Vein

  • This vessel begins near the zygomatic process of the temporal bone.
  • It joins the tributaries of the superficial and middle temporal veins.
  • It passes medially and joins the supratrochlear vein to form the facial vein near the medial canthus.

 

The Facial Vein

  • This vein provides the major venous drainage of the face.
  • It begins at the medial canthus of the eye by the union of the supraorbital and supratrochlear veins.
  • It runs inferoposteriorly through the face, posterior to the facial artery, but takes a more superficial and straighter course than the artery.
  • Inferior to the margin of the mandible, the facial vein is joined by the anterior branch of the retromandibular vein.
  • The facial veins ends by draining into the internal jugular vein.

 

The Superficial Temporal Vein

  • This vein drains the forehead and scalp and receives tributaries from the veins of the temple and face.
  • In the region of the temporomandibular joint, this vein enters the parotid gland.

 

The Retromandibular Vein

  • The union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins forms this vessel, posterior to the neck of the mandible.
  • It descends within the parotid gland, superficial to the external carotid artery but deep to the facial nerve.
  • It divides into an anterior branch that unites with the facial vein, and a posterior branch that joins the posterior auricular vein to form the external jugular vein.

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