A pharynx is a tubular and muscular organ located in the neck region and divided into three portions: the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the laryngopharynx. The pharynx is part of the respiratory and digestive systems, and the food we eat and the air we breathe pass through it. Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx region that can be caused by viruses or bacteria.
Read too: What are the systems and organs of the human body?
Summary about pharynx
- The pharynx is a tubular and muscular organ that is part of the digestive and respiratory systems.
- The food we eat and the air we breathe pass through the pharynx.
- The pharynx establishes communication between the nasal, oral and laryngeal regions.
- The larynx is located in a region below the pharynx and has different functions than this.
- Pharyngitis is an inflammation that affects the pharynx.
What is pharynx?
The pharynx is a tubular-shaped organ made up of muscles and is approximately 12 cm long. It is located in a region posterior to the nasal cavity, the oral cavity and the larynx, in the neck region, and makes
part of the respiratory systems and digestive.Main functions of the pharynx
The pharynx does part of the digestive systems and respiratory system and the food we eat and the air we breathe pass through it. Thus, the pharynx acts as a air and food passageways, directing them correctly to other regions of the body. The pharynx establishes communication between the nasal, oral regions and the larynx region.
What are the characteristics of the pharynx?
The pharynx is an elongated tubular and muscular organ that measures approximately 12 cm. It is covered by a mucosa and is located in the neck region, posterior to the nasal and oral cavities and the larynx.
Pharyngeal regions
The pharynx It is divided into three regions: nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx. The nasopharynx region is located posterior to the nasal cavity; the oropharynx region is located posterior to the oral cavity; and the laryngopharynx region is located posterior to the larynx and below the oropharynx.
What are the differences between pharynx and larynx?
A larynx is an organ measuring approximately 5 cm, is located in a region below the pharynx, and establishes communication between the laryngopharynx and the trachea. The larynx has different functions from the pharynx, including acting as a valve during swallowing, maintaining the airways open for the passage of air, in addition to being related to phonation and vocalization, that is, the production of sound for the he speaks.
Read too: Do you know why your stomach “rumbles”?
Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is a inflammation of the pharynx caused mainly by an infection of viral origin; it can also be caused by bacteria. You main symptoms caused by pharyngitis are:
- sore throat;
- fever;
- headache;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- abdominal pain;
- cough;
- hoarseness.
Pharyngitis is more common in winter and early spring, since in these During these periods, it is more common for people to stay indoors and gather together, which facilitates transmission of the disease.
Sources
ARAGÃO, J.; WAR, D. Respiratory system. Available in: https://cesad.ufs.br/ORBI/public/uploadCatalago/16222015102012Elementos_de_Anatomia_Humana_Aula_14.pdf.
DUARTE, H. Human anatomy. 1st edn, Florianópolis: University of Santa Catarina, 2014. Available in: https://morfologia.paginas.ufsc.br/files/2020/07/Livro-Novo-Anatomia.pdf.
BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF PEDIATRICS. Textbook of Pediatrics. In: PEREIRA, M. B. R.; PEREIRA, M. R.; PEREIRA, D. A. Tonsillitis and Pharyngitis. 4th ed. Available in: https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/5040898/mod_folder/content/0/Apoio%20Atividade%201/FARINGITES%20-%20Tratado%20de%20Pediatria%204%C2%AA%20Edi%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20-%20Vol.%202.pdf? forcedownload=1
