---
title: "Laryngopharynx Anatomy"
description: "A guide to the Anatomy of Laryngopharynx for medical students and ENT residents."
source: "The ENT Resident"
author: "Dr. Mausumi Das"
canonical_url: "https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/laryngopharynx-anatomy"
categories: ["Pharynx"]
video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ynUH3tuQo"
image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/laryngopharynx-anatomy.png"
---

# Laryngopharynx Anatomy

A guide to the Anatomy of Laryngopharynx for medical students and ENT residents. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ynUH3tuQo

## 🔍 What is the Laryngopharynx?

The **laryngopharynx** is the **lowermost part of the pharynx**, also known as the **hypopharynx**.  

It forms the junction between the **oropharynx** and the **esophagus**.

### 📍 Location

- Lies **behind and partly on the sides** of the larynx.
- Lies opposite **C3, C4, C5, and C6 vertebrae**.
- Communicates with the larynx through the **laryngeal inlet**.

>What are the **boundaries of the Laryngeal Inlet**?

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### 📏 Extent of the Laryngopharynx

- **Upper limit**: Plane passing through the **body of hyoid bone** and **superior margin of epiglottis**

- **Lower limit**: **Lower border of the cricoid cartilage** (at the level of **C6 vertebra**) where it continues as the **esophagus**

---

### 🧩 Parts of the Laryngopharynx

The laryngopharynx is divided into **three regions** — the **3 Ps**:
- **Pyriform sinus**
- **Posterior pharyngeal wall**
- **Postcricoid area**

**1- Posterior Pharyngeal Wall**

- Extends from the **superior margin of hyoid bone** to the **inferior border of cricoid cartilage**.
- **Horizontal extent**: From the apex of one pyriform recess to the other.
- Formed by the **superior**, **middle**, and **inferior constrictor muscles** up to the level of the vocal cords.

>What is **Killian’s Dehiscence** and what is it's clinical importance?

**2- Pyriform Sinus**

- Located on **either side** of the laryngeal inlet.
- Extends from the **lateral glossoepiglottic fold** to the **upper end of the esophagus**.
- **Wider superiorly** and **narrower inferiorly**.

>What are the **boundaries of Pyriform Sinus**?


**3- Postcricoid Area**

- Extends from the **arytenoid cartilages and aryepiglottic folds** to the **inferior border of cricoid cartilage**
- Forms the **anterior wall of the hypopharynx**

>Which carcinomas are associated with Postcricoid area?

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### 🧫 Lymphatic Drainage of Laryngopharynx

- **Pyriform sinus**: Drains through the **thyrohyoid membrane** into the **upper jugular chain**

- **Posterior pharyngeal wall**: Drains into **lateral pharyngeal or parapharyngeal nodes**, then into **deep cervical nodes**

- **Postcricoid area**: Drains into **parapharyngeal nodes**, **supraclavicular nodes**, and **paratracheal nodes**

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### 🧠 Nerve Supply of Laryngopharynx

- Motor and sensory supply by the **Pharyngeal Plexus**, formed by the **IX (Glossopharyngeal)** and **X (Vagus)** cranial nerves

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### 🩸 Blood Supply of Laryngopharynx

- From the **Superior Thyroid Arteries** along with collaterals from the **Lingual** and **Ascending Pharyngeal arteries**

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### ⚙️ Functions of the Laryngopharynx

- Common pathway for air and food
- Provides part of the **vocal tract**, aiding in **voice resonance**
- Crucial for deglutition

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## About This Note

This free ENT note on Laryngopharynx Anatomy was written by Dr. Mausumi Das and is paired with a corresponding video lecture.

Canonical page of this note: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/laryngopharynx-anatomy

When citing or referencing this content, please credit The ENT Resident and link to the canonical page above.

## Related Notes by Category

- Pharynx: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/category/pharynx.md

## About The ENT Resident

The ENT Resident is an educational website and resource library created by Dr. Mausumi Das (MS ENT) for ENT residents, ENT postgraduates preparing for exams, and MBBS students.

Dr. Mausumi Das writes the notes, draws the diagrams, and records the lectures herself.

Browse all ENT notes and lectures on The ENT Resident: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures.md

## Medical-use Boundary

The ENT Resident provides educational material for medical learning and revision. It does not provide patient-specific medical advice, diagnosis, or emergency care, and it is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.

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