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Age features of the pharynx
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The pharynx of the newborn has a funnel shape with a high and wide upper part and a short narrow lower part. The lower edge of the pharynx in the newborn is at the level of the intervertebral disk between the bodies of the III and IV cervical vertebrae, at the end of the second childhood (11-12 years) - at the level of the V-VI cervical vertebra, and in adolescence - at the level of the VI-VII cervical vertebra . The nasal part of the pharynx is short, the arch is flattened. The length of the pharynx in a newborn is about 3 cm, the transverse dimension is 2.1-2.5 cm, anteroposterior - 1.8 cm. To 2 years of life, the nasal part of the pharynx is enlarged 2 times. The pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube in the newborn is located at the level of the hard palate, close to the palatal curtain, has the appearance of a gap, gaping. At the age of 2-4 years, the aperture moves up and back, and by 12-14 years retains a slit shape or becomes oval.
Tonsils most strongly develop during the first two years, and then grow more slowly. The pharyngeal tonsil in the newborn is located in the thickness of the mucosa of the upper-posterior wall of the pharynx and protrudes anteriorly. In the first year of life, the amygdala grows in size. At the age of 12-14, a period of partial reverse development begins. After 20-22 years, the size of the pharyngeal tonsil varies little.
The tubal tonsil of the newborn is located posteriorly and downward from the slit-like opening of the auditory tube and is often connected to the posterior pharyngeal tonsil, down and anterior to the palatine.
Innervation of the pharynx: branches of the lingual pharyngeal and vagus nerves, laryngeal-pharyngeal branches from the sympathetic trunk.
Blood supply: an ascending pharyngeal artery (from the external carotid artery), pharyngeal branches (from the ascending palatine artery - branches of the facial artery), pharyngeal branches (from the scutellum trunk). Venous outflow: through the pharyngeal plexus into the pharyngeal veins - the inflows of the internal jugular vein.
Outflow of lymph: zagrugal, deep lateral (internal jugular) lymph nodes.
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