Abstract
The pharynx serves as a conduit for both air and food passage and, as such, converts from one function to the other over a thousand times each day. A precise coordination exists between pharyngeal function as a food conduit and as an airway while providing passage of the ingested material through the pharynx and into the esophagus without endangering the safety of the airway. The influence of pharyngeal sensory receptors on the upper gastrointestinal tract as well as on the glottis has been elucidated in recent years. These influences, in the form of several reflexes, exert a stimulatory effect on some parts of the gastrointestinal tract while exerting an inhibitory effect on other parts. These reflexes include the pharyngeal-upper esophageal sphincter contractile reflex, pharyngo-glottal closure reflex, and pharyngo-lower esophageal sphincter and pharyngb-esophageal inhibitory reflexes. On the other hand, closure reflexes of the glottis in response to esophageal distention have been described.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Donner MW, Basoma F, Robertson DL: Anatomy and physiology of the pharynx. Gastrointestinal Radiol 1985, 10:196–212.
Shaker R: Semin Gastrointest Dis 1992, 3(3):115–128, 1992.
Kern MK, Ren J, Arndorfer RC, et al.: Kinematic and dynamic characteristics of solid pellet movement during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1996, 105(9):716–723
Dodds WJ, Kahrilas PJ: Pharyngeal manometry. Dysphagia 1987, 1:209–214.
Shaker R: Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 1992, 262(25):G621–G628.
Shaker R, Kupla JI, Kidder TM, et al.: Manometric characteristics of cervical dysphagia in a patient with the Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Gastroenterology 1992, 103(4):1328–1331.
Shaker R: Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 1993, 262(25):G427–G432.
Seaman WB: Cine roentgenographic observations of the cricopharyngeus. Am J Roentgenol 1996, 96:922.
Seaman WB: Pharynx radiology. In Alimentary Tract Radiology. Edited by Margulis AR, Burhenee HJ. St Louis: Mosby; 1983.
Shaker R: In Consultations in Gastroenterology. Edited by Snape WJ. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1996:177–196.
Killian G: The mouth of the esophagus. Laryngoscope 1907, 17:421.
Cook IJ, Gabb M, Panagopoulos V: Pharyngeal (Zenker’s) diverticulum is a disorder of upper esophageal sphincter. Gastroenterology 1992, 103:1229–1235.
Feussner H, Siewert JR: Zenker’s diverticulum and reflux. Hepatogastroenterology 1992, 39:100.
Orloff LA: Zenker’s and other esophageal diverticula. In Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery edn 3. Edited by Cummings CW. Philadelphia: Mosby; 1992:2430–2442.
Ulualp SO, Toohill RJ: Laryngopharyngeal reflux: State of the art diagnosis and treatment. 2000, 33(4):785–801.
Devault KR, Castell DO: Current diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Mayo Clin Proc 1994, 69:867–876.
Hanson DG, Kamel PL, Kahrilas PJ: Outcomes of antireflux therapy for the treatment of chronic laryngitis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1995, 104:550–555.
Jones B, Donner MW: Interpreting the study. In Normal and Abnormal Swallowing: Imaging in Diagnosis and Therapy. Edited by Jones B, Donner MW. New York: Springer-Verlag; 1991:51–75.
Rubessin SE, Jessurun J, Robertson D, et al.: Lines of the pharynx. Radiographics 1987, 7:212–237.
Jones B, Kramer SS, Donner MW: Dynamic imaging of the pharynx. Gastrointest Radiol 1985, 10:213–224.
Andreollo NA, Thompson DG, Kendall CPN, Earlam RJ: Functional relationships between cricopharyngeal sphincter and oesophageal body in response to graded intraluminal distention. Gut 1988, 29:161–166.
Holinger LD, Barnes DR, Smid LJ, Holinger PH: Laryngocele and saccular cysts. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1978, 87:675–685.
Stell PM, Maran AG: Laryngocoele. J Laryngol Otol 1975, 89(9):915–924.
Baker HL, Baker SR, McClatchey KD: Manifestations and management of laryngoceles. Head Neck Surg 1982, 4(6):450–456.
Hogikyan ND, Bastian RW: Endoscopic CO2 laser excision of large or recurrent laryngeal saccular cysts in adults. Laryngoscope 1997, 107(2):260–265.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Shaker, R., Loehrl, T.A. (2002). The Pharynx. In: Orlando, R.C. (eds) Atlas of Esophageal Diseases. Current Medicine Group, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1093-8_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1093-8_2
Publisher Name: Current Medicine Group, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-0809-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-1093-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive