What is the laryngopharynx and where is it located?

The laryngopharynx is the lowest part of the pharynx, located posterior to the laryngeal inlet. It extends from the upper border of the epiglottis to the lower border of the cricoid cartilage anteriorly and the C6 vertebra posteriorly, connecting to the esophagus below.

What are the boundaries of the laryngopharynx?

The boundaries include: Anterior wall: Laryngeal inlet and posterior surface of the larynx. Posterior wall: Bodies of C3 to C6 vertebrae. Lateral walls: Thyroid cartilage and thyrohyoid membrane.

What is the piriform fossa and what is its function?

The piriform fossa is a deep recess in the lateral wall of the laryngopharynx, lateral to the laryngeal inlet. It serves as a lateral channel for food passage during swallowing.

What structures pass through the piriform fossa?

The internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels pass under the mucosa of the piriform fossa floor after piercing the thyrohyoid membrane.

Why is the piriform fossa clinically significant?

It is a common site for foreign body impaction (e.g., fish bones) and prone to perforation during endoscopy. Damage here can injure the internal laryngeal nerve, leading to loss of the cough reflex, and it may harbor silent cancers.

How does the laryngopharynx connect to other structures?

It communicates anteriorly with the laryngeal cavity via the laryngeal inlet and continues inferiorly as the esophagus at the pharyngoesophageal junction.

Laryngopharynx – Piriform Fossa & Clinical Notes