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Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

Dissection of pharynx from left lateral approach

Wall of pharynx, lateral view

Image #66-2

KEYWORDS: Muscles and tendons, Peripheral nervous system, Pharynx, Throat, Vasculature.

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Dissection of pharynx from left lateral approach
Wall of pharynx, lateral view
The internal pterygoid muscle has been removed and most of the lateral lamina of the pterygoid process cut away. A plexus of small veins covers the lateral surface of the tensor veli palatini muscle. The internal maxillary artery has been resected except for its terminal branches, and the digastric and stylohyoid muscles have been removed. Bone of the palate and the lateral wall of the nasal fossa has been cut away. The external carotid artery (27) has been retracted laterally so that the plexus of nerves which extends along the artery from the superior cervical ganglion is visible. The ganglion itself remains covered. The external maxillary artery has been transected just beyond its ascending palatine branch (22). No tonsillar artery was present and in this case was probably replaced by the ascending palatine artery.
1 . Mucosa of sphenoid sinus
2 . Upper pointer: Palatine nerves Lower pointer: Internal maxillary artery (cut end)
3 . Mucoperiosteum of maxillary sinus
4 . Tensor veli palatini muscle
5 . Tendinous bands which gave origin to deepest part of internal pterygoid muscle
6 . Mucosa of inferior nasal meatus
7 . Greater palatine artery
8 . Mucosa of hard palate
9 . Dorsum of tongue
10 . Superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (covered by fascia)
11 . Styloglossus muscle
12 . Lingual nerve (retracted anteriorly)
13 . Hyoglossus muscle
14 . Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
15 . Semilunar ganglion (trigeminal)
16 . Tympanic membrane
17 . Mandibular nerve
18 . Chorda tympani
19 . Facial nerve (VII)
20 . Mastoid cells
21 . Upper pointer: Alar fascia Lower pointer: Styloid process
22 . Ascending palatine artery
23 . Occipital artery
24 . Internal jugular vein
25 . Upper pointer: External carotid nerve plexus Lower pointer: External carotid artery (cut off just below origin of internal maxillary artery and retracted laterally)
26 . Cervical nerve III
27 . External carotid artery
28 . Vagus nerve (X)
29 . External maxillary artery
30 . Internal carotid artery