[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Pharynx [Digestive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/digestive-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Pharynx The pharynx (throat) is the muscular tube behind the nose, mouth and larynx; it carries air to the larynx and food to the oesophagus. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=pharynx&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The muscular tube behind the nose, mouth and larynx: naso-, oro- and laryngopharynx. ## What it does Carries air to the larynx and food to the oesophagus. ## Key points - Nasopharynx: skull base to [soft palate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/soft-palate/); oropharynx: soft palate to the tip of the [epiglottis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/epiglottis/); laryngopharynx: epiglottis to the lower border of the cricoid cartilage (C6) - Killian dehiscence: a weak area at the back between the two parts of the inferior constrictor; a Zenker diverticulum pushes out through it, mostly in older adults - Piriform fossae: recesses on each side of the laryngeal inlet where fish bones and other foreign bodies lodge; the internal laryngeal nerve runs under their lining - Retropharyngeal space: behind the pharynx from the skull base to the upper mediastinum; an abscess there, mostly in young children, can spread down into the [chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/) ## Key facts **Where** Skull base to C6 (cricoid), behind the nose, mouth and larynx **Blood supply** Ascending pharyngeal, facial, maxillary, inferior thyroid arteries **Nerve** Pharyngeal plexus: motor X; sensory IX (oropharynx), V2 (nasopharynx), X (laryngopharynx) **Function** Common passage for air and food ## Relations **In front** [Nasal cavity](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nasal-cavity/) through the choanae, oral cavity through the oropharyngeal isthmus, larynx through the laryngeal inlet **Behind** Retropharyngeal space, prevertebral fascia, [longus colli](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/longus-colli-muscle/) and the bodies of C1–C6 **Lateral** Parapharyngeal space and [carotid sheath](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/carotid-sheath/) ([internal carotid artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-carotid-artery/), [internal jugular vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-jugular-vein/), cranial nerves IX–XII), the styloid muscles; lower down, the [thyroid gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-gland/) lobes **Above** Skull base: the [sphenoid bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sphenoid-bone/) and the basilar part of the [occipital bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/occipital-bone/), through the pharyngobasilar fascia **Below** Continues as the oesophagus at the lower border of the [cricoid cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cricoid-cartilage/) ## How to find it The oropharynx is seen through the open mouth; the nasopharynx and laryngopharynx are seen with a mirror or a flexible nasendoscope. ## On imaging A lateral neck radiograph shows widened prevertebral soft tissue in retropharyngeal abscess or haematoma; a barium swallow shows a Zenker diverticulum as a pouch behind the junction with the oesophagus; contrast CT maps deep neck abscesses. ## Clinical notes - Zenker diverticulum: dysphagia, regurgitation of undigested food, bad breath and sometimes a gurgling neck swelling; the pouch can be perforated by a blind endoscope or tube - Nasopharyngeal carcinoma often begins in the lateral recess (fossa of Rosenmüller) behind the [auditory tube](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/auditory-tube/) opening; a one-sided middle ear effusion in an adult calls for a look at the nasopharynx - Cancers of the laryngopharynx present late, with dysphagia, a neck node or ear pain referred through the [vagus nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vagus-nerve/) ## Development It is the widened head end of the foregut, lined by endoderm; pouches bulge from its side walls and give rise to the tonsils, [thymus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thymus/) and [parathyroid glands](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/parathyroid-glands/), and branchial cysts and fistulas of the neck come from clefts and pouches that fail to close. ## Related conditions - [Streptococcal pharyngitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/streptococcal-pharyngitis/) - [Obstructive sleep apnoea](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnoea/) - [Deep neck infection and Ludwig angina](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/deep-neck-infection-and-ludwig-angina/) - [Caustic ingestion](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/caustic-ingestion/) - [Oropharyngeal dysphagia in older adults](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/oropharyngeal-dysphagia-in-older-adults/) - [Zenker diverticulum (pharyngo-oesophageal diverticulum)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/zenker-diverticulum/) - [Diphtheria](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/diphtheria/) - [Common cold (acute viral rhinopharyngitis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/common-cold/) - [Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (oral cavity and oropharynx, HPV)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/head-and-neck-squamous-cell-carcinoma/) - [Nasopharyngeal carcinoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/nasopharyngeal-carcinoma/) - [Tonsillar hypertrophy and recurrent tonsillitis (post-tonsillectomy care)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/tonsillar-hypertrophy-and-recurrent-tonsillitis/) - [Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/juvenile-nasopharyngeal-angiofibroma/) - [Acute epiglottitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/acute-epiglottitis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What are the boundaries of the three parts of the pharynx? Nasopharynx: skull base to soft palate; oropharynx: soft palate to the epiglottis tip; laryngopharynx: epiglottis to the lower cricoid border (C6). ## What is the Killian dehiscence and what forms there? A weak area at the back of the pharynx between the two parts of the inferior constrictor; a Zenker diverticulum pushes out through it. ## Where do fish bones typically lodge in the pharynx, and which nerve lies under that lining? In the piriform fossae beside the laryngeal inlet; the internal laryngeal nerve runs under their lining. ## Where does nasopharyngeal carcinoma often begin, and what adult sign should prompt a look? In the lateral recess (fossa of Rosenmüller) behind the auditory tube opening; a one-sided middle ear effusion in an adult. ## Why is a retropharyngeal abscess dangerous? The retropharyngeal space runs from the skull base to the upper mediastinum, so an abscess can spread down into the chest. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/pharynx/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** pharynx TA2 2855 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Faringe DeCS D010614 **English (TA2)** Pharynx **Also called** throat Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=10803); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Pharynx](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544271/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Digestive Apparatus (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain; Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Branchial Region (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pharynx/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pharynx/