The walls of the pharynx are attached to the margins of the nasal cavity, oral cavity, and larynx. Based on the attachments, the pharynx is subdivided into three regions:
- Nasopharynx: It is situated in the space between the back of the nose and soft palate. It is continuous with the nasal cavity and forms the upper part of the respiratory system. It plays an important role in transferring air from the nose to the larynx. The soft palate separates the nasopharynx from the oropharynx. The adenoid tissue in the nasopharynx is the lymphoid tissue that helps fight infections entering through the nasal epithelium or lining. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. The tube regulates the pressure in the middle ear and helps drain our segregation in the ear.
- Oropharynx: It is a part of the pharynx located at the back of the mouth. The muscles and structures in the oropharynx allow us to breathe while chewing or manipulating material in the oral cavity. Therefore, we can talk when we eat, or we can breathe even while eating. The tonsils are located between the pharyngeal pillars. The tonsils are called as gatekeepers. Their function is to help fight infections that enter through the mouth or nose. They contain a collection of white cells.
- Laryngopharynx: It extends from the front of the epiglottis to the top of the esophagus at the level of base of the neck. A structure known as the piriform fossa is present here that forms channels directing solids and liquids from the oral cavity to the esophagus. Its main function is to regulate the entry of air to the lungs and food to the esophagus.
Main functions of the pharynx
Following are the main functions of the pharynx:
- The pharynx serves both respiratory and digestive functions.
- It is a 5-inch-long cylindrical tube that involves the passage of food and air into its appropriate chambers.
- The connection between the oral and nasal regions enables us to breathe through nose and mouth.
- The pharyngotympanic tube (Eustachian tube) connecting the middle ear to the pharynx equalizes the air pressure in the ear and drains fluid from the ear, preventing ear infections.
- It plays an important role in phonation (speech). It provides an enclosed space that allows the speech muscles to initiate sound and pronounce syllables better.
- The lining of the pharynx secretes mucus to lubricate the pharynx and helps in smooth propulsion of food down to the esophagus and reduce throat irritation.
- It provides drainage to the nose, oral cavity, and middle ear.
- Specialized lymphoid tissue (adenoids and tonsils) fights off the invading foreign cells, toxins, bacteria, and viruses.
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Is Strep Throat Contagious?
Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Incubation period for strep throat is 1-5 days after exposure. If strep throat is treated with antibiotics, it is no longer contagious after 24 hours; if it is not treated with antibiotics, it is contagious for 2-3 weeks. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, white spots or patches on the tonsils, and nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis of strep throat is performed through a rapid strep test.
Larynx Cancer (Throat Cancer)
Symptoms and signs of cancer of the larynx, the organ at the front of the neck, include hoarseness, a lump in the neck, sore throat, cough, problems breathing, bad breath, earache, and weight loss. Treatment for larynx cancer depends on the stage (the extent) of the disease. Radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy are all forms of treatment for laryngeal cancer.
Sore Throat
Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches. Home remedies for a sore throat include warm soothing liquids and throat lozenges. OTC remedies for a sore throat include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics may be necessary for some cases of sore throat.
Sore Throat Home Remedies
Natural and home remedies for sore throat symptoms and pain relief include essential oils, licorice gargles, slippery elm leaves, raw garlic, Throat Coat tea, sage, and acupuncture. Typical symptoms of a sore throat include throat pain, coughing, sneezing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Sore throats are caused by viral (common cold, flu, mumps), bacterial (tonsillitis, some STDs), toxins, allergens, trauma or injury, or "mechanical causes" (breathing through the mouth).
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Strep Throat Quiz
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