Everything about The Pharynx totally explained
The
pharynx (plural:
pharynges) is the part of the
neck and
throat situated immediately
posterior to (behind) the
mouth and
nasal cavity, and
cranial, or superior, to the
esophagus,
larynx, and
trachea.
Functions
It is part of the
digestive system and
respiratory system of many organisms.
Because both
food and
air pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue called the
epiglottis closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent
choking or
aspiration. In
humans the pharynx is important in
vocalization.
Parts
The human pharynx is conventionally divided into three sections:
Oropharynx
The
oropharynx lies behind the oral cavity. The anterior wall consists of the base of the tongue and the vallecula; the lateral wall is made up of the tonsil, tonsillar fossa, and tonsillar (faucial) pillars; the superior wall consists of the inferior surface of the soft palate and the uvula.
Nasopharynx
The
nasopharynx lies behind the
nasal cavity.
Postero-superiorly this extends from the level of the junction of the hard and soft palates to the base of skull, laterally to include the
fossa of Rosenmuller.
The inferior wall consists of the superior surface of the soft palate.
Laryngopharynx
The
laryngopharynx, also known as the
hypopharynx, roughly corresponds to the levels between C3 to C6, it includes the pharyngo-esophageal junction (postcricoid area), the
piriform sinus, and the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Like the oropharynx above it the hypopharynx serves as a passageway for food and air and is lined with a
stratified squamous epithelium.
It lies directly anterior to the upright epiglottis and extends to the larynx, where the respiratory and digestive pathways diverge.
At that point the laryngopharynx is continuous with the esophagus posteriorly. The esophagus conducts food and fluids to the
stomach; air enters the larynx anteriorly. During swallowing, food has the "right of way", and air passage temporarily stops.
Additional images...
Image:Illu conducting passages.jpg|Conducting passages.
Image:Illu dige tract.jpg|Organs of the digestive system.
Image:Gray955.png|The entrance to the larynx, viewed from behind.
Image:Gray994.png|Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx.
Image:Gray1032.png|The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Pharynx'.
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