MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -What is the pharynx? The pharynx, commonly called the throat, is a muscular, funnel-shaped passageway inside the body. It connects the mouth and nose to the esophagus (leading to the stomach) and larynx (leading to the trachea and then lungs).

Detailed explanation-2: -The nasal cavity and mouth join at the area in the back of the throat called the pharynx (FAR-inks). The pharynx is part of two body systems (the respiratory system and the digestive system) because it carries both air and food.

Detailed explanation-3: -The throat (pharynx and larynx) is a ring-like muscular tube that acts as the passageway for air, food and liquid. It is located behind the nose and mouth and connects the mouth (oral cavity) and nose to the breathing passages (trachea [windpipe] and lungs) and the esophagus (eating tube).

Detailed explanation-4: -The human pharynx (plural: pharynges) is part of the digestive system and also the respiratory system. It is situated immediately posterior to (behind) the mouth and nasal cavity, and superior to (above) the esophagus and larynx.

Detailed explanation-5: -There are three main divisions of the pharynx: the oral pharynx, the nasal pharynx, and the laryngeal pharynx. The latter two are airways, whereas the oral pharynx is shared by both the respiratory and digestive tracts.