Page 95 - Edited - Webster HEAD AND NECK - part 2-Merge PDF

HN 288

DISTRIBUTIONS OF EPITHELIA IN THE UPPER
AIRWAYS AND ORAL CAVITY

NASO-
PHARYNGEAL
EXTERNAL TONSIL (HN 265)
NOSE (internal
surface of) NASAL CAVITY

NASO-
PHARYNX

SKIN

TONGUE
ORO- EPIGLOTTIS (During
PHARYNX swallowing, only the
ANTERIOR surface is
subject to "wear & tear")

Note the distributions on the
HYPO-
EPITHELIA_INDICATED_THUS: (LARYNGO-) aryepiglottic folds
NON-KERATINIZING, PHARYNX (LARYNGEAL INLET): when
STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS the inlet is closed for
RESPIRATORY oooooo swallowing, only the OUTER
OLFACTORY xxxxxxxx surfaces are subject to "wear &
tear"(HN 277).

OESOPHAGUS

GLOTTIS .
(vocal folds) K.E.W

TRACHEA

NOTES:
1. The non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of the vocal folds responds to strenuous and excessive
use of the voice by localized hypertrophy, creating nodules which seriously affect voice quality. A constant
anxiety for real singers. (The squawkers and shouters of the pop-world never notice ... )
2. GLOTTAL OEDEMA. Oedema of the laryngeal sub-mucosa usually extends into it from the sub-mucosa of
the hypopharynx. Because there is no sub-mucosa in the vocal folds and the mucous membrane is is tightly
bound to the underlying crico-vocal membrane, the vocal folds represent a barrier to the further downward
spread of oedema, which is thereby limited to the supraglottal larynx (HN 272). Swelling of the laryngeal
inlet and vocal folds is serious, and death from asphyxiation can occur quickly, especially in infants and
children. An emergency inferior laryngotomy (crico-thyrotomy-see HN 277, 278) may be needed if
circumstances preclude an immediate tracheostomy.

K.E.W .