Anatomy Of The Pharynx

On the other hand, and according to what was published in the fifth edition of Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract , we can highlight 4 main functions for which this organ is responsible:

• It helps digest food by contracting its walls and the swallowing reflex, which sends it down the esophagus.
• It is involved in respiration, so the air taken both through the mouth and through the nose passes into the windpipe and from there to the lungs.
• Helps vocalization.
• It evens out the air pressure in the middle ear by making sound conduction occur properly.

Anatomy of the pharynx: the rhinopharynx

The rhinopharynx is the only part of this purely aerial organ. Due to this, it is the only structure of the pharyngeal anatomy that is permeable, being continuously open to the air. It is located  in front of the cervical spine and below the base of the skull. It is also known as the nasopharynx.

It communicates downward with other parts of the pharyngeal anatomy, such as the oropharynx and laryngopharynx. The rhinopharynx is bounded by four parts:

• Anterior : the anterior wall of the rhinopharynx is delimited by the posterior and inferior portion of the nasal septum or vomer and communicates to the nasal passages through the choanas.
• Posterior : in the mucosa of the posterior wall is the opening of the Eustachian tube, which communicates the rhinopharynx with the middle ear.
• Upper : the upper limit is marked by the skull by the leather of the sphenoid bone. In children under 12 years of age, adenoids are located on the upper wall of this structure of the pharyngeal anatomy. Adenoids are a patch of tissue that are part of the lymphatic system of our body.
• Inferior : this limit is formed by the posterior and inferior stubborn of a bone called palatine.

Anatomy of the pharynx: the oropharynx

Functionally, it is the most complex pharyngeal subdivision. The soft palate separates the rhinopharynx from this structure. It is responsible for regulating the passage of air and food through the pharynx. Therefore, it has the ability to:

• Limit pharyngo-nasal reflux.
• Propel the food bolus.
• Facilitate air passage.
• Participate in vocalization.

Its upper limit is given by the soft palate, a posterior, the spine and the prevertebral muscles. Below it is delimited by an imaginary plane that passes through the upper edge of the epiglottis.

As for the lateral limits, there are the tonsil fossae and, finally, the isthmus of the jaws delimits the continuity with the oral cavity. It can be said that the anatomy of the oropharynx is simple on the surface, but complex on the depth.

Anatomy of the pharynx: laryngopharynx

It corresponds to the lowest portion of the pharynx. It is also called the hypopharynx and extends from the upper edge of the epiglottis to the lower edge of the cricoid cartilage.

In front, it is related to the larynx and on either side are two vertical depressions known as the piriform sinuses. The food bolus descends through these sinuses in the direction of the esophagus.

The anatomy of the pharynx is relatively simple, although it is an organ with important functions. It is divided into 3 parts, such as the rhinopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx. Together, these are critical to important processes such as vocalization, respiration, and bolus propulsion.