pharynx

Question 1

pharynx

Answer 1

This passage provides a basic description of the pharynx, also known as the throat. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

Length & Appearance: It’s about 13 cm (5 inches) long and looks somewhat like a short piece of red garden hose.

Function: The pharynx is a shared pathway for both food and air—meaning it plays a role in both the digestive and respiratory systems.

Connection: At the front (anteriorly), it connects to the nasal cavity through the posterior nasal aperture (the back part of the nasal passages).

Question 2

the thrre pathways of the pharynx

Answer 2

Key Points:
The pharynx has three regions:

Nasopharynx: Upper part, behind the nasal cavity. Air enters here.

Oropharynx: Middle part, behind the mouth.

Laryngopharynx: Lower part, which leads to either the larynx (for air) or esophagus (for food).

Air pathway:

Enters through the nasal cavity → goes to the nasopharynx → passes through the oropharynx → moves through the laryngopharynx → then enters the larynx (voice box) and goes to the lungs.

Food pathway:

Enters through the mouth → travels the oropharynx and laryngopharynx just like air → BUT instead of going to the larynx, it is directed into the esophagus by a flap called the epiglottis.

The epiglottis:

It’s a flap of tissue that prevents food from going into the airway (larynx). It acts like a lid, closing off the larynx when you swallow.

Question 3

the eusuction tube

Answer 3

The pharyngotympanic tubes (also called Eustachian tubes) connect the middle ears to the nasopharynx (the upper part of the pharynx behind the nose).

These tubes help drain fluid from the middle ear into the throat and also help equalize air pressure.

The mucous membranes (mucosae) of the ears and nasopharynx are connected.

Because of this connection, infections in the throat (like a sore throat or pharyngeal infection) can spread to the ears, causing ear infections like otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear).

Question 4

the tonsils

Answer 4

There are four main tonsils:
Pharyngeal tonsil (also called the adenoid)

Located: High in the nasopharynx (behind the nose)

Palatine tonsils

Location: On both sides of the oropharynx, at the end of the soft palate

These are the ones most often removed in a tonsillectomy

Lingual tonsil

Location: At the base of the tongue, also in the oropharynx

Tubal tonsils

Location: In the nasopharynx, near the openings of the pharyngotympanic (Eustachian) tubes

They help protect the middle ear from infection

Question 5

larynx

Answer 5

Summary: The Larynx (Voice Box)
The larynx, also known as the voice box, has two main jobs:

Routes air and food into the right tubes (air → lungs, food → stomach)

Helps produce speech

It is located just below (inferior to) the pharynx.

The larynx is made of:

8 rigid hyaline cartilages (strong, flexible support)

1 flap of elastic cartilage called the epiglottis, which covers the larynx when you swallow (so food doesn’t go into your airway)

The largest cartilage in the larynx is the thyroid cartilage, which is shield-shaped and sticks out at the front of the neck.

This is what we call the Adam’s apple.

🧠 Quick Facts:
Hyaline cartilage = tough, flexible support material

Epiglottis = flap that closes the airway when swallowing

Thyroid cartilage = largest cartilage; makes up the Adam’s apple

Larynx function = breathing, swallowing, and talking

Question 6

epigottis

Answer 6

Summary: The Epiglottis – “Guardian of the Airway”
The epiglottis is often called the “guardian of the airway” because it protects the opening of the larynx (voice box).

During normal breathing:

The epiglottis stays open, allowing air to pass freely into the larynx and down to the lungs.

When swallowing food or liquids:

The larynx moves upward.

The epiglottis folds down, acting like a lid over the larynx’s opening.

This ensures food is routed into the esophagus (which is behind the larynx), not the airway.

If food or liquid accidentally enters the larynx:

The cough reflex is triggered to force it back out and prevent it from entering the lungs.

Important safety note:

The cough reflex doesn’t work when a person is unconscious, so never give fluids to someone unconscious — it could lead to choking or aspiration into the lungs.