| Isthmus of the fauces |
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| The mouth cavity. The cheeks have been slit transversely and the tongue pulled forward. (Isthmus faucium labeled at center left.) |
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| Pharynx |
| Latin |
isthmus faucium |
| Gray's |
subject #242 1110 |
The oropharyngeal isthmus (or isthmus of fauces or faucal isthmus) is the passage from the mouth to the oropharynx, between the soft palate and the root of the tongue.
It is bounded laterally on both sides by the palatoglossal arches. Each palatoglossal arch runs downwards, laterally and forwards, from the soft palate to the side of the tongue. The approximation of the arches shuts off the mouth from the oropharynx, and is essential to swallowing (deglutition). The Palatoglossus muscle closes the oropharyngeal isthmus.
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