pyriform sinus

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

Gross anatomy

Relations and/or boundaries

The structure is a depression bounded

Beneath the mucous membrane of the anterior wall runs the internal laryngeal nerve, a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

Etymology

The term is derived from the Latin "pirum" and -form, meaning having the form of a pear.

Related pathology

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