All Topics  
Nasopharynx

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Nasopharynx
 
 
  Topics Nasopharynx Topic Home

The nasopharynx (nasal part of the pharynx) is the uppermost part of the pharynx
Pharynx

FunctionsThe pharynx is part of the digestive system and respiratory system of many organisms.Because both food and Earth's atmosphere pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent choking or Pulmonary aspiration....
. It extends from the base of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate
Soft palate

The soft palate is the soft biological_tissue constituting the back of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is distinguished from the hard palate at the front of the mouth in that it does not contain bone....
; it differs from the oral
Mouth

The mouth, buccal cavity, or oral cavity is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food and begins digestion by mechanically breaking up the solid food particles into smaller pieces and mixing them with saliva....
 and laryngeal
Larynx

The larynx , colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the vertebrate trachea and sound production....
 parts of the pharynx in that its cavity always remains patent (open).








Discussion
Ask a question about 'Nasopharynx'
Start a new discussion about 'Nasopharynx'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


The nasopharynx (nasal part of the pharynx) is the uppermost part of the pharynx
Pharynx

FunctionsThe pharynx is part of the digestive system and respiratory system of many organisms.Because both food and Earth's atmosphere pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent choking or Pulmonary aspiration....
. It extends from the base of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate
Soft palate

The soft palate is the soft biological_tissue constituting the back of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is distinguished from the hard palate at the front of the mouth in that it does not contain bone....
; it differs from the oral
Mouth

The mouth, buccal cavity, or oral cavity is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food and begins digestion by mechanically breaking up the solid food particles into smaller pieces and mixing them with saliva....
 and laryngeal
Larynx

The larynx , colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the vertebrate trachea and sound production....
 parts of the pharynx in that its cavity always remains patent (open).

Anterior

In front it communicates through the choanae with the nasal cavities.

Lateral

On its lateral wall is the pharyngeal ostium of the auditory tube, somewhat triangular in shape, and bounded behind by a firm prominence, the torus tubarius
Torus tubarius

The base of the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube lies directly under the mucous membrane of the nasal part of the pharynx, where it forms an elevation, the torus tubarius or cushion, behind the pharyngeal orifice of the tube....
 or cushion, caused by the medial end of the cartilage of the tube which elevates the mucous membrane
Mucous membrane

The mucous membranes are linings of mostly germ layer origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line various body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organ ....
.

Two folds arise from the cartilaginous opening:
  • vertical fold of mucous membrane, the salpingopharyngeal fold
    Salpingopharyngeal fold

    A vertical fold of mucous membrane, the salpingopharyngeal fold, stretches from the lower part of the torus tubarius; it contains the Salpingopharyngeus muscle....
    , stretches from the lower part of the torus; it contains the Salpingopharyngeus muscle
    Salpingopharyngeus muscle

    The salpingopharyngeus muscle arises from the inferior part of the cartilage of the auditory tube in the nasal cavity; it passes downward and blends with the posterior fasciculus of the palatopharyngeus muscle....
    .
  • second and smaller fold, the salpingopalatine fold
    Salpingopalatine fold

    In the lateral wall of the nasopharynx, the salpingopalatine fold, smaller than the salpingopharyngeal fold, stretches from the upper part of the torus tubarius to the palate anteroinferiorly; it contains the levator veli palatini muscle....
    , stretches from the upper part of the torus to the palate; it contains the levator veli palatini
    Levator veli palatini

    The levator veli palatini is the elevator muscle of the velum palatinum in the human body. During swallowing, it contracts, elevating the soft palate to help prevent food from entering the nasopharynx....
     muscle. The tensor veli palatini is lateral to the levator and does not contribute the fold, since the origin is deep to the cartilaginous opening.


Behind the ostium of the auditory tube is a deep recess, the pharyngeal recess
Pharyngeal recess

Behind the ostium of the auditory tube is a deep recess, the pharyngeal recess ....
 (fossa of Rosenmüller).

Posterior

On the posterior wall is a prominence, best marked in childhood, produced by a mass of lymphoid tissue, which is known as the pharyngeal tonsil.

Above the pharyngeal tonsil, in the middle line, an irregular flask-shaped depression of the mucous membrane sometimes extends up as far as the basilar process of the occipital bone
Occipital bone

The occipital bone, a saucer-shaped membrane bone situated at the back and lower part of the skull, is trapezoid in shape and curved on itself. It is pierced by a large oval aperture, the foramen magnum, through which the cranial cavity communicates with the vertebral canal....
; it is known as the pharyngeal bursa.

Additional images


See also

  • nasopharyngeal carcinoma
    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a cancer originating in the nasopharynx, the uppermost region of the pharynx or "throat", where the Nasal cavity and eustachian tube join the remainder of the upper respiratory tract....
     - cancer
    Cancer

    Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cell display uncontrolled growth , invasion , and sometimes metastasis . These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, do not invade or metastasize....
     of the nasopharynx
  • Pharyngitis
    Pharyngitis

    Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat or pharynx. In most cases it is painful, and thus is often referred to as a sore throat. Inflammation of the tonsils and/or larynx occur simultaneously, which can make eating difficult or painful....


External links