Anatomy of the oropharynx: The robotic perspective

Surgical robotic techniques are quickly being developed and adapted for using the robot for head and neck surgery. Given the altered perspective and approach to transoral neoplasms using the robot as compared to the traditional open approach, it is necessary for the head and neck surgeon to be familiar with this different viewpoint. We present the embryology and anatomy of the oropharynx including the tonsillar fossa and base of tongue as pertains to transoral robotic surgery.