pharynx

(noun)

The part of the alimentary canal that extends from the mouth and nasal cavities to the larynx, where it becomes continuous with the esophagus.

Related Terms

Examples of pharynx in the following topics:

  • Pharynx

    • The human pharynx is part of the digestive system and also the respiratory system.
    • The pharynx is part of both the digestive system and the respiratory system.
    • The nasopharynx is the upper region of the pharynx.
    • The orpharnyx (mesopharynx) is the middle portion of the pharynx.
    • This is a detailed diagram of the pharynx from Gray's Anatomy, showing the major structures in each part of the pharynx.

  • Esophagus

    • The esophagus is a muscular tube that moves food from the pharynx to the stomach via peristalsis.
    • Once food material is pushed into the throat, or pharynx, the trachea (windpipe) is blocked by a flap of tissue known as the epiglottis to prevent the aspiration of food.
    • The esophagus is an organ in vertebrates that consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach.
    • The esophageal tube in humans is comprised of two main layers of smooth muscle, though striated muscle comprises the tube near the pharynx.
    • This combination of muscle tissue allows peristalsis to push food downward, and aids in regurgitation at the pharynx.

  • Pharynx

    • The pharynx is part of the digestive and respiratory systems and consists of three main parts: the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
    • The pharynx is part of the digestive system and also the respiratory system, as well as an important part in vocalization.
    • The nasopharynx is the most cephalad (toward the head) portion of the pharynx.
    • The eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the pharynx and open into the nasopharynx.
    • The human pharynx is situated immediately below the mouth and nasal cavity, and above the esophagus and larynx.

  • Digestion in the Mouth, Pharynx, and Esophagus

    • The reflex is initiated by touch receptors in the pharynx as the bolus of food is pushed to the back of the mouth.
    • The pharynx is the part of the neck and throat situated immediately behind the mouth and nasal cavity.
    • Because both food and air pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue, the epiglottis, closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent choking or asphyxiation.
    • The oropharynx is that part of the pharynx behind the oral cavity.
    • The esophagus is a narrow muscular tube about 20-30 centimeters long, which starts at the pharynx at the back of the mouth, passes through the thoracic diaphragm, and ends at the cardiac orifice of the stomach.

  • Trachea

    • The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the pharynx or larynx to the lungs, allowing the passage of air.
    • The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the pharynx or larynx to the lungs, allowing the passage of air.
    • The trachea is a long tube that extends from the pharynx and larynx to the bronchi of the lungs.
    • The cilia then waft upward toward the larynx and the pharynx, where it can be either swallowed into the stomach (and destroyed by acid) or expelled as phlegm.

  • Tonsils

    • The tonsils are small masses of secondary lymphoid tissue located in the pharynx.
    • There are four pairs of tonsils located within the pharynx.
    • Enlarged tonsils can make it more difficult to breath and disrupt normal mucus drainage in the pharynx, so removal is generally recommended in those cases.

  • Glossopharyngeal (IX) Nerve

    • It receives general sensory fibers (ventral trigeminothalamic tract) from the tonsils, the pharynx, the middle ear, and the posterior 1/3 of the tongue.
    • General sensory (general somatic afferent): Provides general sensory information from the skin of the external ear, internal surface of the tympanic membrane, upper pharynx, and the posterior 1/3 of the tongue.

  • Nose and Paranasal Sinuses

    • The nose and paranasal sinuses form much of the upper respiratory tract, along with the pharynx.
    • The macroscopic nasal hairs prevent large particles from reaching the lungs, while the cilia and mucus trap pathogens and dust to take them to the pharynx, where they can be destroyed by digestion. 

  • Processes and Functions of the Digestive System

    • Swallowing occurs when the muscles in your tongue and mouth move the bolus into your pharynx.
    • The pharynx, which is the passageway for food and air, is about five inches (5") long—a remarkably small space.
    • A small flap of skin called the epiglottis closes over the pharynx to prevent food from entering the trachea, which would cause choking.

  • Overview of the Axial Skeleton

    • It provides attachment to the muscles of the floor of the mouth and the tongue above, the larynx below, and the epiglottis and pharynx behind.