True regarding nasopharynx are all except
**Question:** True regarding nasopharynx are all except
A. Posterior pharyngeal wall
B. Soft palate
C. Epiglottis
D. Vocal cords
**Core Concept:**
The nasopharynx is a part of the upper aerodigestive tract and is located superior to the pharynx and inferior to the skull base. It serves as a passage for air and food. The major structures within the nasopharynx include the posterior pharyngeal wall, soft palate, epiglottis, and vocal cords.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer is "D. Vocal cords" because vocal cords are located in the larynx, which is a separate structure from the nasopharynx. The other options are correct because they are all part of the nasopharynx:
1. **A. Posterior pharyngeal wall:** The posterior pharyngeal wall is a part of the pharynx, the structure immediately adjacent to the nasopharynx. It is a muscular wall that separates the nasopharynx from the oropharynx.
2. **B. Soft palate:** The soft palate is a thin, muscular structure that separates the pharynx from the nasal cavity and forms the posterior wall of the oropharynx.
3. **C. Epiglottis:** The epiglottis is a small, cartilaginous structure that covers the laryngeal opening during swallowing, preventing food entry into the trachea. It is also part of the larynx, not the nasopharynx.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. The correct answer is not included in the options.
B. The soft palate is a part of the nasopharynx, not the nasopharynx.
C. The epiglottis is a part of the larynx, not the nasopharynx.
**Core Concept:**
The correct answer, "D. Vocal cords," is excluded from the options as they are all part of the nasopharynx. The vocal cords are located within the larynx, a separate structure from the nasopharynx.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. The posterior pharyngeal wall and soft palate are part of the nasopharynx, not the larynx.
B. The epiglottis is also a part of the larynx, not the nasopharynx.
**Clinical Pearls:**
1. **The larynx and nasopharynx are separate structures:** The larynx is located inferior to the nasopharynx, and they are connected by the epiglottis, which is a cartilaginous structure that covers the laryngeal opening during swallowing to prevent food entry into the trachea.
2. **Epiglottis and larynx are not part of the nasopharynx:** The epiglottis is a part of the