Pharynx

The pharynx [fa ː ʁʏŋks ] (Greek pharynx, throat ',' gullet ( head ) ') - commonly referred to as throat linguistically - is initially ( generally in animals ), the foremost, following on the mouth or the mouth section of the digestive tract. Among vertebrates, besides, he is also part of the respiratory system (→ gills and intestine ), in humans and other terrestrial vertebrates lined with a mucous membrane extension subsequent to the mouth and the nasal cavity.

The human pharynx - general language referred to as upper respiratory tract - is more curved because of the upright posture than many other mammals, thereby reducing the risk of " choking " enlarged.

Speisebreiweg ( esophagus ) and Atemluftweg (windpipe ) intersect at the larynx (voice box ).

Sections

From the oral cavity of the pharynx is bounded by the base of the tongue and the palate arch ( arcus palatoglossus ). The access from the nasal cavity is performed by the posterior nares ( nasopharyngeal passage ).

The output from the pharynx leads down

  • Anteriorly into the larynx (voice box ) and from there into the windpipe ( trachea), and
  • Dorsally into the gullet ( esophagus )

The pharynx is divided into the

  • Nasopharynx ( nasal pharyngeal Pars ), also nasopharynx or epipharynx
  • Oropharynx ( pars oralis of the pharynx ), and oropharynx or mesopharynx
  • Pharynx pharynx ( pars laryngeal pharynx ), and laryngopharynx or hypopharynx

In the nasopharynx leads to the pharyngeal tubae auditivae the eustachian tube. Between oral and nasal pharynx, the soft palate is ( soft palate or soft palate ). An adjoining mucosal fold, the palatopharyngeal arch, called the ostium intrapharyngeal forms ( " opening in the throat ").

Layer

The pharynx is lined by a mucous membrane, which is provided in the region of the nasopharynx with ciliated and goblet cells. In the mucous membrane of the throat there is accumulation of lymphoid tissue, tonsils. The individual almonds form the Waldeyer 's tonsillar ring in its entirety.

The mucosal outside adjacent muscle layer (tunica muscularis ) consists of skeletal muscle ( Striated muscle). Functionally differentiates you:

  • Several pharynx ( pharyngeal Musculi constrictores ) and
  • Three pharyngeal siphon (musculus stylopharyngeus, musculus musculus and salpingopharyngeus palatopharyngeus ), in veterinary anatomy only a Schlundkopferweiterer (musculus stylopharyngeus caudalis ) is described.

Blood supply and innervation

The blood supply is provided by branches of the external carotid artery.

The motor innervation of the muscles take over the IX. and the tenth cranial nerve, which is the glossopharyngeal nerve and the vagus nerve. Sensitively the pharyngeal mucosa in addition to the aforementioned nerves from the maxillary nerve - a branch of the trigeminal nerve ( fifth cranial nerve) - innervates.

Diseases

The main diseases of the throat include:

  • Pharyngitis, an inflammation of the throat (of banal swallowing up to phlegmon )
  • Pharyngokonjunktivalfieber
  • Pharyngeal diphtheria
  • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
  • Pharyngeal
  • Swallowing paralysis ( at a paralysis of the glossopharyngeal nerve )
  • Pharyngismus
Diagnostic test Arcadia, California Posterior nasal apertures Epithelium Salpingopharyngeus muscle Mechanical ventilation
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