A patient presents with globus sensation and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Examination reveals a cyst in the vallecula. The pyriform fossa is an important anatomical region in the hypopharynx. Which structure forms the medial boundary of the pyriform fossa?
- A Thyroid cartilage lamina
- B Aryepiglottic fold and arytenoid cartilage ✓
- C Cricoid cartilage
- D Hyoid bone
Correct answer: B. Aryepiglottic fold and arytenoid cartilage
Explanation
The pyriform fossa (piriform sinus) is bounded medially by the aryepiglottic fold and arytenoid cartilage (the laryngeal entrance), and laterally by the thyroid cartilage lamina and thyrohyoid membrane. The internal laryngeal nerve and vessels lie just lateral to the pyriform fossa, making this region important in endoscopic examination and during foreign body impaction (fish bone).
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.