pharynxes
Plural nasal passages
Pharynxes is the plural of pharynx, the muscular tube connecting the mouth and nasal passages to the esophagus and larynx—the back of the throat.
It serves as a passageway for both food and air.
The alternative plural pharynges appears in medical contexts.
The doctor examined the pharynxes of all three patients.
Speech-producing throat organ
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
- tonsilsThroat's lymphoid tissue
- oropharynxMid-throat cavity
- uvulaSoft palate pendant
esophagus · trachea · soft palate · hyoid bone · glottis · adenoids · vocal cords · arytenoid cartilage
Act of swallowing
- esophagusFood tube to stomach
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
- bolusChewed food mass
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
mastication · gag reflex · dysphagia · gullet · aspiration · saliva · constriction · choking
Passage for breath
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
- tracheaRespiratory airway tube
- inhaleDraw air in
- exhaleExpel breath outward
ventilation · airflow · nasal passage · epiglottis · glottis · obstruction · apnea · snoring
Vocal fold vibration
- articulationClear vocal expression
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
- nasalityNose-resonant voice quality
pronunciation · voice production · speech sounds · acoustics · oral cavity · tone · timbre · vocal tract
Bacterial infection of pharynx
- tonsillitisInflamed throat tissue
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- sore throatIrritated, aching airway
dysphagia · cancer · tumor · abscess · edema · stenosis · biopsy · lesion
larynx
Speech-producing throat organ
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
- tonsilsThroat's lymphoid tissue
- oropharynxMid-throat cavity
uvula · esophagus · trachea · soft palate · hyoid bone · glottis · adenoids · vocal cords · arytenoid cartilage · mucosa
deglutition
Act of swallowing
- esophagusFood tube to stomach
- epiglottisWindpipe-covering throat cartilage
- bolusChewed food mass
peristalsis · mastication · gag reflex · dysphagia · gullet · aspiration · saliva · constriction · choking · regurgitation
airway
Passage for breath
exhale · ventilation · airflow · nasal passage · epiglottis · glottis · obstruction · apnea · snoring · oxygen
phonation
Vocal fold vibration
- articulationClear vocal expression
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
nasality · pronunciation · voice production · speech sounds · acoustics · oral cavity · tone · timbre · vocal tract
strep throat
Bacterial infection of pharynx
- tonsillitisInflamed throat tissue
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
sore throat · dysphagia · cancer · tumor · abscess · edema · stenosis · biopsy · lesion · polyp