The pharynx is a aéro-disgestif crossroads between the air routes (of the nasal Cavité with the Larynx) and the digestive tracts (of the oral cavity or Bouche with the esophagus). One also meets on his level the opening of the Eustachian tube or tubes auditive, who brings it in communication with the average Oreille to the level of the case of the tympanum.

The pharynx intervenes in:

• the Swallowing
• the Breathing
• the Phonation
• the Hearing

Having the shape of a funnel or a half-gutter applied against the cervical Rachis, it extends from the Base from the cranium at the lower edge of the 6th cervical Vertèbre (C6) (or higher edge of C7) and is continued by the esophagus. It is always open: permanently 2 cm separate the walls former and posterior.

It measures:

• 15 cm length (12 cm in contraction)
• 5 cm broad in nasal position
• 4 cm broad in oral position
• 2 cm broad in laryngée position

It is a musculo-membranous conduit collabable subdivided in 3 segments: the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the laryngopharynx. It is rich in innervation sensitivo-motor coach by cranial nerves: V, IX, X, XII.

Structure of the pharynx

Surface with the depth one finds:

• a Mucous
• the Fascia pharyngo-basilaire
• the Muscle S constrictors, 3: superior, means, inferior. They are flat, even and curved.
• elevator muscles of the pharynx
• the fascia bucco-pharyngien

Nasopharynx or rhinopharynx

The nasopharynx is located behind nasal cavity. It consists of:

• Two walls side which lead behind to the Choane S. On each wall finds the opening of the Eustachian tube, with behind of this one a récessus pharyngien: the Small cavity of Rosenmüller.
• Of a wall higher than the level of which the fornix pharyngien is corresponding to the Tonsille S or amygdalae pharyngiennes. When those are hypertrophied in the child, involving a respiratory embarrassment, one speaks about adenoids.
• Of a posterior wall on the level of which the former arc of the atlas is or 1st cervical Vertèbre.

The observation of the nasopharynx by ORL is made by Rhinoscopie posterior, i.e. while placing a mirror at the bottom of the throat turned upwards.

Oropharynx

The Oropharynx corresponds to the former part of the pharynx. It extends from the soft palate with the bone hyoïde and is limited laterally by the cabins amygdaliennes.

It communicates:

• in top with the nasopharynx on the level of the isthmus of the pharynx, compared to the Velum,
• ahead with the Mouth by the Isthmus of the gosier limited by the palato-glossus arcs. He thus answers the base of the language,
• in bottom with the laryngopharynx.

Laryngopharynx or hypopharynx

He places larynx behind and narrows in bottom to continue itself by the esophagus. He is limited ahead by the épiglotte.

Diseases of the pharynx

The Pharyngitis.

Simple: Pharynx

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