What is the piriform fossa?

The piriform fossa forms the bottom part of the pharynx and acts as a pair of side branches of the vocal tract. Because of its obscure form and function, the piriform fossa has usually been neglected in the current speech production models.

Why is piriform recess important?

Clinical significance This sinus is a common place for food particles to become trapped; if foreign material becomes lodged in the piriform fossa of an infant, it may be retrieved nonsurgically. If the area is injured (e.g., by a fish bone), it can give the sensation of food stuck in the subject’s throat.

Where is the pyriform fossa?

The pyriform sinus (also spelt piriform sinus and also known as the pyriform recess, pyriform fossa, and smuggler’s fossa) is the pear-shaped subsite of the hypopharynx located posterolaterally to either side of the laryngeal opening.

What nerve lies in the piriform recess?

Relations: – Deep to the mucous membrane of the piriform fossa lie the recurrent laryngeal nerve and internal laryngeal nerve, a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. The internal laryngeal nerve supplies sensation to the area, and it may become damaged if the mucous membrane is inadvertently punctured.

Why piriform fossa is called Smugglers fossa?

Piriform fossa—THE SMUGGLERS FOSSA :(? It is sometimes artificially deepened by smugglers using lead balls to hide precious materials like diamonds.. For this reason piriform fossa is also called as Smugglers fossa The ingested foreign bodies like pins or fish bones are sometimes lodged into the piriform fossa.

What causes pyriform sinus residue?

Reduced laryngeal elevation results in residue in area of laryngeal vestibule because larynx is too low and collects food during swallow. Because larynx is not elevating well, cricopharyngeal region does not open as widely and there is residue in pyriform sinuses.

What is pyriform sinus fistula?

Pyriform sinus fistula (PSF) is a rare congenital entity, originating from the failure obliteration of the third or fourth pharyngeal pouches1,2. Most PSF occurs in older children and presents with repeated neck infection or mass. A few prenatal and neonatal cases have been reported in the English literature3,4,5,6.

Why is pharyngeal residue a concern?

Pharyngeal residue, defined as the material remaining in the pharynx post swallow, is a sign of swallowing impairment and a clinical predictor of prandial aspiration. 1, 2, 3, 4 Residue can result from poor bolus propulsion, weak pharyngeal muscular squeeze, and/or impaired upper esophageal sphincter relaxation.

What is the Valleculae and pyriform sinuses?

The wedge-shaped space formed between the base of the tongue and epiglottic is the valleculae. The valleculae and the pyriform sinuses are known as the pharyngeal recesses or side pockets, into which food may fall and reside before or after the swallowing reflex triggers.

What is sinus and fistula?

A fistula is an abnormal passage between a hollow organ and the skin surface, or between two hollow organs¹. “A wound sinus is a discharging blind-ended tract that extends from the surface of an organ to an underlying area or abscess cavity”. The cause of a sinus must always be determined by in-depth assessment.

What causes pooling in the pyriform sinuses?

Pooling occurs when a person’s swallow does not successfully send the entire mass of food or liquid into the esophagus, so that some or all of the material remains in the hypopharynx. In such cases, the material commonly pools in the vallecula and pyriform sinuses.