Acknowledgments I acknowledge Hyunjoo Park for the illustrations in this chapter. Introduction The hypopharynx is a complex anatomic region that begins at the level of the hyoid and terminates at the esophageal inlet. It is adjacent to, but distinct from,…
Introduction The hypopharynx is the inferior-most portion of the pharynx, bounded by the oropharynx superiorly and the esophagus inferiorly. The hypopharynx is intimately related to the larynx, both anatomically and functionally. Anatomically, the hypopharynx extends from the base of the…
Introduction Penetrating trauma to the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus is a potentially life-threatening injury, which may be the result of iatrogenic injury, accidental impalement, or assault. Multiple routine procedures and surgeries (intubation, nasogastric tube placement, rigid and flexible esophagoscopy with…
Introduction The cricopharyngeus muscle is the major component of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The cricopharyngeus muscle is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus, which is composed of contributions from the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves. Increasing evidence suggests that contributions from…
Introduction Disorders of the esophagus present a challenge to the otolaryngologist owing to the broad variety of pathology and oftentimes nonspecific nature of patient complaints. Using a mirror, Bozzini in 1809 was credited with the first attempts to evaluate the…
Introduction The facial translocation approach (FTA) for access to the cranial base was first described in the late 1980s by Dr. Ivo P. Janecka and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh. The FTA was one of a number of landmark…
Introduction Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a squamous cell carcinoma of an undifferentiated type. This cancer is endemic among Chinese, having the highest incidence of 10 to 20 per 100,000 for men and 5 to 10 per 100,000 for women. It…
Introduction While radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), surgical resection of the recurrent cancer with the adjacent mucosal wall (nasopharyngectomy) has been established as an efficacious salvage treatment. Various open…
Introduction Certain ethnogeographic groups have been found to have an increased risk of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Studies have shown that among the Chinese, there is a very high incidence of NPC affecting 10 to 20 per 100,000 for men…
Introduction A hollow viscus located immediately posterior to the larynx, the hypopharynx is related to the oral pharynx superiorly and the cervical esophagus inferiorly. It is divided into three anatomic sites: the pyriform sinuses (bilateral), the postcricoid mucosa, and the…