Pharynx

For another organ, see larynx.

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The pharynx is an organ in the back of the throat. It is also the meeting point of the digestive and the respiratory systems. The opening of the respiratory system in the pharynx is called the glottis. It is guarded by a cartilagenous flap called the epiglottis which prevents food or liquid from going into the respiratory system. It closes during swallowing action. As such, it is part of the gastrointestinal system. It comes after the mouth and before the esophagus. Food and air go through the pharynx. The pharynx keeps food and liquids out of the lungs.

File:Pharynx (naso, oro, laryngo) simplification.png

The 3 parts of the pharynx can be thought of as where 3 tubes (nose, mouth, windpipe) connect to it

The pharynx has 3 parts:

1. Nasopharynx - the upper part of the back of the throat, that leads up into the nose
2. Oropharynx - the part at the back of the throat
3. Laryngopharynx - the bottom part, before the windpipe and esophagus split from 1 into 2 tubes

Pharynx Media

• Upper respiratory system, with the nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx labeled at left

• Details of torus tubarius

• An illustration of the pharyngeal jaws of a moray eel

• Alitta virens pharynx (lateral).jpg

  Everted pharynx of Alitta virens (also known as Nereis virens), lateral view

• Prorhynchus fontinalis pharynx.jpg

  Pharynx of the flatworm Prorhynchus fontinalis

• Peerj-297-fig-5 Platydemus manokwari.png

  Pharynx of the flatworm Platydemus manokwari visible as the worm feeds on a snail.

• C elegans anatomy.png

  Longitudinal section through the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans showing the position of the pharynx in the animal body.

• Lamprey Larva x sect pharynx labelled.png

  Microscopic cross section through the pharynx of a larva from an unknown lamprey species.

• Illu nose nasal cavities.jpg

  Illu nose nasal cavities