the pharynx Flashcards
The pharynx (far′inks
is a muscular passageway about 13 cm (5 inches) long that vaguely resembles a short length of red garden hose. Commonly called the throat, the pharynx serves as a common passageway for food and air (see Figure 13.2). It is continuous with the nasal cavity anteriorly via the posterior nasal aperture.
What are the three regions of the pharynx and how do they function?
The pharynx has three regions:
Nasopharynx: Air enters from the nasal cavity.
Oropharynx: Air and food pass through from the nasopharynx.
Laryngopharynx: Air and food pass through to the larynx or esophagus, respectively.
How does food travel through the pharynx?
Food enters the mouth, travels through the oropharynx and laryngopharynx, and is directed into the esophagus by the epiglottis (a flap that prevents food from entering the larynx).
Flashcard 3:
How does air travel through the pharynx?
Air enters the nasopharynx from the nasal cavity, descends through the oropharynx and laryngopharynx, and then enters the larynx.
Where do the pharyngotympanic tubes open, and what is their function?
The pharyngotympanic tubes open into the nasopharynx and function to drain the middle ears.
Where are the tonsils located in the pharynx?
Clusters of lymphatic tissue called tonsils are also found in the pharynx. The single pharyngeal (far-rin′je-al) tonsil, often called the adenoid, is located high in the nasopharynx. The two palatine tonsils are in the oropharynx at the end of the soft palate, as is the lingual tonsil, which lies at the base of the tongue. The tubal tonsils protect the openings of the pharyngotympanic tubes in the nasopharynx. The tonsils also play a role in protecting the body from infection (see Chapter 12).
Oropharynx: This is the middle part of the pharynx, located behind the mouth. It’s the area where both food and air pass through. The palatine tonsils and lingual tonsils are found here, and the tongue is located at the front of this area.
Nasopharynx: This is the uppermost part of the pharynx, located behind the nasal cavity. It’s where air passes through when you breathe. The pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) are located here.
Laryngopharynx: This is the lowest part of the pharynx, leading down to the larynx (for breathing) and the esophagus (for swallowing food).
If the pharyngeal tonsil becomes inflamed and swollen (as during a bacterial infection), it
obstructs the nasopharynx and forces the person to breathe through the mouth. In mouth breathing, air is not properly moistened, warmed, or filtered before reaching the lungs. Many children routinely get this condition, called tonsillitis. Years ago the belief was that the tonsils, though protective, were more trouble than they were worth, and they were routinely removed. Now, with the widespread use of antibiotics, this is no longer necessary. So, lingual tonsils are associated with the mouth area (oropharynx), and pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) are located near the nose (nasopharynx).
