Tube used by both the respiratory and digestive systems
Thepharynxis the medical term for the throat.
The pharynx is also what helps you talk, as muscles in the throat vibrate to help make sound.
This article explains the structure and function of the pharynx.
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While the tube is largely made up of muscle, some areas consist of soft tissue.
For example, the nasopharynx is made up of respiratoryepithelium.
This is a protective mucous membrane that coats the airways and respiratory tract.
The hypopharynx contains two groups of pharyngeal constrictor muscles.
Together, these muscles help push food down into the esophagus for digestion.
If swallowing seems like its a complicated function, thats because it is.
Thevagus nerveis another key part of the anatomy of the pharynx.
It runs through the face, neck, and abdomen and transmits messages to and from the brain.
Anatomical Variations
For the pharynx to work properly, its structure needs to be healthy.
Changes from the norm are called anatomical variants, and they can have health impacts.
For example, some people have changes in the lateral (side) wall of the oropharynx.
Some changes may be considered “normal variants.”
Thethyrohyoidmembrane, for example, can become weak in older people.
This can change the lateral pharynx wall too.
For digestion, the muscles surrounding the pharynx work together to send food and drink into the esophagus.
The pharynx also plays a role in speech.
Associated Conditions
Medical conditions that affect the pharynx range from the mild to severe.
Some may go away on their own, while others require treatment.
They also will be treated differently depending on the cause.
Other cases will need to be treated on the basis of the specific diagnosis.
If the cause isstrep throat, for instance, antibiotics are needed to treat thebacterial infection.
Tests
Your healthcare provider may order some tests to help determine the cause of your pharynx pain.
Other tests may be needed, although they arent necessarily to evaluate the pharynx.
It also helps you to speak.
Many of the health conditions that affect the pharynx are common.
They include the common cold, the flu, and strep throat.
On the other hand, serious conditions such as throat cancer also may affect the pharynx.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
About 90% of pharyngeal cancers aresquamous cell carcinomas, and they tend to affect males more than females.
Yes, in some cases.
The pharynx can play a role indysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.
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