Anatomical Location of Cricopharyngeus in Patients with Swallowing Disorder / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To further clarify the location of cricopharyngeus in human body. Methods:From September, 2018 to December, 2019, 19 inpatients with swallowing disorders received video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).The videoes were used to measure the position of cricopharyngeus with Uniweb 4.0 software. Water model simulating the structure of an adult's neck was established to restore the real measurement scene, and obtain the scale ratio between the actual measurement and the computer measurement, then obtain the accurate actual position of the cricopharyngeus. Six adult specimens were dissected. The intersection point of the intended treatment plane and the long axis of cricopharyngeus was taken as the origin, the horizontal axis as X axis, and the sagittal axis as Y axis, to locate the position of cricopharyngeus precisely. Results:Cricopharyngeus was closest to the sixth cervical vertebra. The scaling ratio of the actual measurement obtained from the water model to the computer measurement was about 1∶1.340. The intended treatment plane was closest to the upper edge of the sixth cervical vertebra; on lateral edge of thyroid, cricopharyngeus was (33.47±2.21) mm deep to epidermis, with the angle of (43.37±1.34)° to sagittal axis; and it was (34.59±1.29) mm and (46.32±0.93)° on medial edge of internal jugular vein. Conclusion:The the accurate location of cricopharyngeus in human body has been measured, which can help for the rehabilitation for cricopharyngeal dysfunction.