Nasopharynx

The nasopharynx (Greek for nose throat), and nasopharynx ( epipharynx, Pars nasal pharyngeal or rhinopharynx ), is a part of the pharynx.

Anatomy of the nasopharynx

The nasopharynx is located behind the nasal cavity, above the level of the soft palate. At this point, the inhaled air passes in the direction of the pharynx and larynx. In the nasopharynx are the pharyngeal recess (Rose Müller- pit ), a blind-ended pouch mucosa of the pharyngeal wall, and either side are two Eustachian tubes. The latter limit the input into the eustachian tube ( Eustachian tube ), the pharyngeal tubae auditivae. About the Eustachian tube to the nasopharynx to the middle ear is connected. The adenoids are located in the center of the nasopharynx.

The nasopharynx is ( palatopharyngeal arch ) closed down by swallowing the uvula and palate -pharyngeal arch against the oropharynx, so food and drinks can not get into the nose.

Diseases of the nasopharynx

• Tornwaldt cysts ( pharyngeal bursitis ), a rare, often chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal bursa, which is possibly accompanied by a cyst formation.
• Hyperplastic tonsils ( adenoids )
• Inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil ( adenoiditis )
• Choanalpolyp ( adenoids )
• Benign tumors, such as a juvenile nasopharyngeal fibroma
• Nasopharynx.