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Functions of the human pharynx

It's no wonder that the throat is called "the main gateway" into the human body, because everything that gets inside passes through this organ. In the people it is often called simply "throat", however in medical terminology it has a different name. Let's find out what the function of the pharynx is and what its role in life processes is.

Scientific definition

From the point of view of medicine, the pharynx (from the Latin pharynx) is a connecting chain between the oral cavity and the nose. Outwardly it looks like a tube that starts with the larynx, and ends with the esophagus. This is what determines its role as an important link not only in the digestive, but also in the respiratory process.

Structure of pharynx

Anatomical structure of the pharynx is a complicated scheme: this organ originates at the base of the skull (near the hyoid bone) and extends to the VI-VII cervical vertebrae (approximately at the level of the clavicles). The length of the pharynx in a person varies from 10 (in children and adolescents) to 14 cm (in adults).

The entire inner surface of the pharynx has a mucous membrane and glands, under which are hidden globular muscles, able to contract (contract and stretch). They help the body fulfill its tasks. The main functions of the pharynx:

  • Respiration,
  • Swallowing food,
  • Formation of voice.

In general, the device of the pharynx can be described as follows: it consists of three departments (nasal, oral and laryngeal), each of which is connected by a common tube and performs certain actions. For a better understanding of the anatomy of the pharynx, the structure of each part should be studied in more detail.

Nasopharyngeal Scheme

The upper part of the pharynx, connected to the nasal cavity, passes through the special nasal apertures - the choana, and is called the nasopharynx. It consists of the front and back parts, thanks to which the two functions of the pharynx are performed. A person can not be imagined without the process of breathing, which, in turn, will cease to function if any microprocess in the nasopharynx system is disturbed.

An important function of the nasopharynx is to protect our body from various microbes that can enter through the oral opening. The fact is that in the posterior wall of the upper part of the pharynx there is a fairly large accumulation of lymphadenoid tissue (in other words, it is the amygdala), which is a kind of barrier to pathogens in pathogens and does not allow them to go deeper.

Tonsils are located on the palatine arches, they are covered with multilayer epithelium, which forms a dense protective wall from microbes. Lymphadenoid tissue is also located on the plane of the tongue, closer to the root itself. Together with the remaining tonsils and follicles, they form an annular chain in the thickness of the mucosa. In medical terminology, this part of the body is called the pharyngeal lymphadenoid ring and is an important part of the immune system.

The middle part of the pharynx: its structure and functions

The next part of the system can be considered the oropharynx: this area, which extends from the root of the tongue to the esophagus itself. The entire surface of this tube is covered with a mucous membrane, under which the muscles are located. It is they that compress the pharynx and promote the pushing of food into the esophagus. This is hard to believe, but all the muscles are in constant motion, thereby ensuring the vital activity of the pharyngeal cavity.

The largest muscles of the oropharynx are called constrictors, they have a heavy load during the contraction of the muscular system. They are usually located in the back of the pterygium process (the root of the tongue) and perform the most important functions of the human pharynx in digestion. In addition to swallowing food and mucus, they are involved in the opening and closing of the pharynx. Depending on the location, they are divided into upper constrictor, middle and two lateral.

Lower part of pharynx - laryngopharynx

The lowest part of the organ is located in the back of the larynx, on the 4th vertebra, it extends from the beginning of the larynx to the esophagus. The surface of the laryngopharynx has a fibrous membrane, under which there are longitudinal and transverse muscles. During food intake, the longitudinal muscle stretches and, as it were, lifts the pharynx, and the transverse muscles push the pieces of food. The role of the pharynx in digestion is largely due to the condition of the organ itself: how the tonsils work, whether they are able to protect against viral diseases, whether there are abnormalities in development and whether there are no chronic, traumatic or oncological diseases.


What are the functions of the pharynx in the respiratory system?

Everyone knows that in the throat of a person two main elements of vital activity actually connect: these are the respiratory and digestive systems. How does it happen that there are no collisions at this "crossroads", and each process functions without failures? It's all about the artful device of this body.

In the area of the nasopharynx, just above the level of the oral cavity, there is a small system of valves that alternately close or open one or another laryngeal passage depending on the process (breathing or eating). The main air channel, which extends from the nasopharynx to the larynx, with the relaxed state of all muscles open, so we can calmly inhale and exhale the air through the mouth. When we yawn, the septum located in the area of the soft palate allows air to pass both into the oral cavity and into the nasal cavity. Unfortunately, a person is not able to fully control the muscles of this septum: even if you lift the soft palate and stop the flow of air, the passage will still remain open. This is the reason why sometimes food particles can get into the nasopharynx.

Next is the trachea, through which the air comes from the beginning of the pharynx to the lungs. This organ greatly facilitates the universal distribution of air flows in the pharynx, and thanks to the valve located at its base (epiglottis), the basic functions of the pharynx in the respiratory system are performed.

The main functions of the pharynx in digestion

A pharynx is an organ by which the food consumed enters the esophagus, and then into the stomach. In the throat are the most important processes that affect all further digestion. It is here that food is first evaluated according to taste: in the oropharynx, on the surface of the tongue there are receptors that form taste sensations from food and in many ways contribute to appetite.

Another function of the pharynx is the initial mechanical processing of food: with the help of teeth we bite off food, chew and grind. In the throat there is an active salivating process, due to which the food is moistened and easily passes through the larynx to the esophagus.

An interesting fact: the contraction of the muscles that contribute to the ingestion of food, occurs reflexively, impulses come from the central nervous system, which cause the muscles to move arbitrarily, that is, the person does not control this process. This feature of the pharynx was found when a person was in a state of anesthesia.

Diseases of the pharynx

With the onset of cold weather epidemic starts, when people pick up different viruses. One of the most susceptible to viral diseases is the gullet. The most common types of ailments are angina, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, etc. Symptoms of these diseases are very unpleasant: a constant sore throat, runny nose or swollen tonsils. Treatment of the pharynx should not be postponed, timely therapy with modern antibiotics will quickly get rid of the bacterial disease, and antiviral drugs will effectively combat viruses. For the sake of the same prevention it is recommended to follow certain rules, for example, in crowded places to wear a mask. Traditional methods of treatment also do not interfere: warm milk with honey will certainly soothe the larynx mucosa, and tincture of chamomile and herbs will strengthen immunity.

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