pharynx
Throat's muscular tube
The pharynx is the cavity at the back of the mouth that connects to the esophagus and larynx—the shared passage for food and air.
It extends from behind the nasal cavity down to the voice box.
A sore throat is technically pharyngitis: inflammation of the pharynx.
Plural: pharynges or pharynxes.
Mid-throat cavity
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
- larynxSpeech-producing throat organ
- esophagusFood tube to stomach
- tonsilsThroat's lymphoid tissue
adenoids · uvula · soft palate · nasal cavity · glottis · trachea · mucosa · epithelium
Act of swallowing
- bolusChewed food mass
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
- masticationTeeth-based food breakdown
ingestion · gag reflex · dysphagia · aspiration · constriction · propulsion · chewing · gulping
Passage for breath
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
- inhaleDraw air in
- exhaleExpel breath outward
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
ventilation · nasal passage · obstruction · apnea · snoring · aspiration · patency · choking
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
- articulationClear vocal expression
- phonationVocal fold vibration
- voice productionCreating speech sounds
oral cavity · speech sounds · tone quality · timbre · nasality · vocal tract · sound projection
Bacterial infection of pharynx
- tonsillitisInflamed throat tissue
- sore throatIrritated, aching airway
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
swelling · redness · pain · difficulty swallowing · hoarseness · abscess · cancer · tumor
Internal organ examination
- laryngoscopyVisual inspection of larynx
- throat cultureSample from the gullet
- swabAbsorbent cleaning implement
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
imaging · palpation · visualization · scope · camera · diagnosis · screening · inspection
oropharynx
Mid-throat cavity
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
- larynxSpeech-producing throat organ
- esophagusFood tube to stomach
tonsils · adenoids · uvula · soft palate · nasal cavity · glottis · trachea · mucosa · epithelium · palatine
deglutition
Act of swallowing
- bolusChewed food mass
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
mastication · ingestion · gag reflex · dysphagia · aspiration · constriction · propulsion · chewing · gulping
airway
Passage for breath
oxygen · ventilation · nasal passage · obstruction · apnea · snoring · aspiration · patency · choking · blockage
resonance
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
- articulationClear vocal expression
- phonationVocal fold vibration
voice production · oral cavity · speech sounds · tone quality · timbre · nasality · vocal tract · sound projection
strep throat
Bacterial infection of pharynx
- tonsillitisInflamed throat tissue
- sore throatIrritated, aching airway
- inflammationProtective tissue response
infection · swelling · redness · pain · difficulty swallowing · hoarseness · abscess · cancer · tumor · lesion
endoscopy
Internal organ examination
- laryngoscopyVisual inspection of larynx
- throat cultureSample from the gullet
- swabAbsorbent cleaning implement
biopsy · imaging · palpation · visualization · scope · camera · diagnosis · screening · inspection · assessment
- anatomybrain, heart, bones, liver, stomach
- Respirationbreathing, lungs, inhalation, inhaling, exhalation
- Neckneck, throat, Adam's apple, larynx, trachea
- throatthroat, larynx, esophagus, tonsils, epiglottis
- voicevoice, vocal folds, utterance, sound, voice box
- respiratory systemlungs, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, airways
- pharyngeal teethTeeth in fish gullet
- pharyngeal jawsSecondary teeth in gullet
pharyngealization, pharyngeal, pharyngitis, nasopharynx, pharynxes, nasopharyngeal