What is the Pharynx?

The pharynx is an organ in humans and most animals that connects the mouth with the larger digestive system. It’s sometimes thought of as the throat, and the throat is a big part of it — but the organ typically also encompasses parts of the vocal cords, the sinuses, and the nasal passageways. It's usually a long, smooth tube, and it can have a slightly different role for different animals. In general it is very important to both breathing and swallowing. For humans particularly, it’s also essential for speech and vocalizations like singing. Due to this body part’s exposure to airborne irritants and bacteria, it can sometimes get inflamed. A sore throat is one of the most common names for an inflamed pharynx, and this is usually relatively minor. More serious conditions include streptococcus infections, tonsil complications, and certain cancers, though these are relatively rare.

The human pharynx is widely seen as one of the most complex, at least from an anatomical perspective. It can be divided into three parts: the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx. The nasopharynx is at the base of the skull next to the upper surface of the soft palate and is most important to the digestive and respiratory systems. The pharyngeal tonsil, which is a mass of lymphoid tissue commonly known as the adenoid, can also be found in this area.

The oropharynx extends from the uvula to the epiglottis, a flap of tissue that prevents food from entering the lungs when swallowing. It allows for both food and air to pass through the body. The larynopharynx, by contrast, connects to the esophagus. This part of the throat diverts food to the stomach by temporarily blocking the passage of air, which in turn prevents the body from choking or aspirating while eating. This part is typically near the fourth and sixth cervical vertebrate.

Most experts classify this organ as part of both the respiratory and the digestive systems. In its respiratory capacity, it plays a major role in oxygen intake, as well as carbon dioxide exhalation. Whether a person breathes through the nose of the mouth, the air brought in travels up and down the throat on the way to the lungs. Blockages or irritations can make breathing more labored, which can make it harder for the body to get the oxygen it needs when it needs it.

Food, too, is a critical element that enters the body through the mouth and throat, and it is for this reason that this part of the body is also usually considered part of the digestive tract. It helps food and drink pass from the mouth down into the stomach, and smooth muscular tissues and fibers along the throat walls help move chewed particulates along. This works both to prevent choking and to speed processing.

The vocal cords are almost always located here, too, which means that speech and oral communications are also significant aspects. When air moves through the vocal cords and they rub across one another, it creates sounds. Humans and some animals have honed the use of these cords to produce logical and reasoned sounds that can be used to create language, express emotion, and generally communicate.

Sore throats are a common problem for many people. The medical name for this discomfort is pharyngitis, and it most cases it is caused by an infection or inflammation of the pharynx. Infections are common because both food and air pass through this area. Tonsil infections can also sometimes spread here. When the tonsils become infected numerous times, they are sometimes removed to prevent future incidences and chances for spread.

Other problems can impact this particular part of the body, too. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, for instance, is a cancer in the upper part of the throat. It is typically not found until it has metastasized to other parts of the body. It is very rare, but it is usually quite serious.