Anatomy of Pharynx Anatomy of Pharynx

By: Hina Khalid By: Hina Khalid

PharynxPharynx

Pharynx is a aero-digestive tract, acts Pharynx is a aero-digestive tract, acts as a passage for air and food. It start as a passage for air and food. It start

from nasopharynx to the laryngo from nasopharynx to the laryngo pharynx.pharynx.

It is start from the base of skull up to It is start from the base of skull up to the opening of the esophagus opposite the opening of the esophagus opposite

the C6 vertebrae. the C6 vertebrae. The pharynx lies anterior to the The pharynx lies anterior to the

vertebral bodies of the cervical spine & vertebral bodies of the cervical spine & prevertebral muscles,prevertebral muscles,

PARTS OF PHARYNXPARTS OF PHARYNX

Anatomically is divided into three parts:Anatomically is divided into three parts: Nasopharynx:Nasopharynx: from base of the skull up to the level from base of the skull up to the level

of the soft palate. of the soft palate. Oropharynx:Oropharynx: middle part of the pharynx situated middle part of the pharynx situated

behind the oral cavity.behind the oral cavity. Hypo pharynx or Laryngopharynx:Hypo pharynx or Laryngopharynx: lower part of lower part of

pharynx situated behind the larynx. It consists of:pharynx situated behind the larynx. It consists of: Pyriform fossa Pyriform fossa Posterior pharyngeal wall Posterior pharyngeal wall Post cricoid area Post cricoid area

. .

FUNCTIONS OF PHARYNXFUNCTIONS OF PHARYNX

The pharynx is a passage way both for respiration and The pharynx is a passage way both for respiration and swallowing. However it also play part in speech. swallowing. However it also play part in speech.

During speech, the pharynx functions as a resonating During speech, the pharynx functions as a resonating chamber, changing size and shape to alter sounds.chamber, changing size and shape to alter sounds.

During swallowing, the pharynx helps to directs the bolus During swallowing, the pharynx helps to directs the bolus into the upper part of the esophagus that is cricopharynx into the upper part of the esophagus that is cricopharynx and prevents the entry of food particle in the respiratory and prevents the entry of food particle in the respiratory track by covering the laryngeal inlet by epiglottis. track by covering the laryngeal inlet by epiglottis.

Disorders of the pharynx may therefore be manifested by Disorders of the pharynx may therefore be manifested by respiratory, speech, or swallowing dysfunction. respiratory, speech, or swallowing dysfunction.