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The pharynx is the term used to describe the part of the throat from just beneath the mouth to the larynx (or voice box). It is divided into three parts and the words used to distinguish the different parts are all words that prefix pharynx. The three main parts are:

Nasopharynx - This is the upper most part of the pharynx (the nasal section) and extends from the base of the scull to the soft palate (the soft part of the roof of the mouth).

Oropharynx - This section of the pharynx is the part that can be seen when looking into the mouth.

Laryngopharynx - This is the bottom part of the pharynx and connects to the oesophagus (wind pipe)

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What is the common passageway for both respiration and digestion?

the throat. pharynx.


Where in the body do air and food passages cross?

The air and food passages cross at the pharynx, which is the part of the throat located behind the mouth and nasal cavity. The pharynx serves as a common pathway for both air from the nasal cavity and food from the mouth before they continue on to separate pathways - air heading to the trachea and food to the esophagus.


What is a pharynx and what is its function?

Pharynx is the part of the throat that is common to both digestive system andrespiratory system. It starts behind the nose and ends in the beginning of the voice box (larynx) and the oesophagus. It is a muscular tube lined by mucous membranes that connects the nose with the wind-pipe (trachea) and the mouth with the food-pipe (esophagus) and thus acts as a common passage for both food and air. Structure of Pharynx: Pharynx is a soft collapsible tube. It is about 13 cm long in humans and lies in the front of the spinal column. The pharynx contains tonsils and adenoids (in children). Pharynx is divided into three parts namely the oropharynx, nasopharynx and laryngopharynx. Functions of Pharynx: The main function of pharynx is to act as a common passage for both food and air. Thus the pharynx should channel food without choking. Pharynx plays a major role in the first phase of swallowing. As the food bolus is pushed by the tongue into the pharynx, it pushes the food down by muscular contraction down the esophagus. The other important function of Pharynx is to equalize pressure that gets built near the ear drums. This is made possible by the two eustachian tubes (one from each ear) that connect the middle ear with pharynx. Pharynx is very soft and can be easily collapsed. Thus any physical structure can cause an obstruction in the pharynx. Pharynx is easily susceptible to infections. The inflammation or infection of pharynx is known as pharyngitis which is caused by micro organisms that enter through nose or mouth. The pharynx might collapse during sleep and the resulting condition is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Any failure in the normal functioning of pharynx can cause breathing, swallowing or voice problems.


What structure carries both food and air?

The pharynx carries both food and air. It is a passageway at the back of the oral and nasal cavities that leads to the esophagus (for food) and the trachea (for air).


Where does the gullet and windpipe split?

They get separated in lower pharynx. That is laryngo-pharynx.

Related Questions

What is the common passageway for both respiration and digestion?

the throat. pharynx.


What is the plural form of the word pharynx?

The plural form of the word "pharynx" is "pharynges."


Does the word pharynx have a singular or plural form?

The plural form of the noun pharynx is pharynges or pharynxes, both are accepted.


Need to know the word separation and definition of the word Pharyngomycosis?

Pharyngo- related to the pharynx Mycosis fungal overgrowth Pharyngomycosis: fungal overgrowth in the pharynx.


What is the singular form of the word hypo pharynx?

The word hypopharynx (one word) is the singular form; the plural forms are hypopharynges or hypopharynxes.


Are gorillas pharynx the same as the Humans?

Gorillas have a stiff, firm pharynx to aid with childbirth, a common practice among the females


What is the common passage for the digestive system and the respiratory system?

Pharynx .


What is the plural word for pharynx?

Pharynges is preferred, but pharynxes is allowed, at least in non-technical settings.


What organ is a common passage for both the digestive and respiratory systems?

A thin epithelium and a large blood supply. This is related to the fact that the job of both is to move materials into the blood.


What is the main function of the pharynx?

The main function of the pharynx is to provide a passageway for the respiratory and digestive tracts. The pharynx is also referred to as the throat. It houses the tonsils, the uvula, epiglottis and is the entrance way to the esophagus. The pharynx or throat, allows common passageway for air into your lungs and food into your stomach. The pharynx has two roles. The upper part of the pharynx will only allow food to pass through, and the lower part of the pharynx allows air, fluids, and food to pass through.


What body part does the medical root word pharyngo refer to?

The medical root word 'pharyngo' refers to the pharynx.


What organs are common to both the respiratory and digestive tract?

Pharynx is the common organ in both systems because it takes food and air.