A pharynx it is a structure that is part of both the digestive system and the respiratory system, being a place where food and air pass. This organ allows us, for example, to be able to breathe even when our nasal cavities are obstructed. The pharynx has three regions: nasal, oral and laryngeal.
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Features of the pharynx
The pharynx is approximately 12.5 cm long, is a musculomembranous tubular organ, and has three distinct regions: the nasal, the oral and the laryngeal. The nasal region is called the nasopharynxwhile the oral is called oropharynxand the laryngeal region is known as laryngopharynx.
The first region of the pharynx is the nasopharynx, located just behind the nose. It has four openings, two of them for the auditory tubes and two for the nose region. The opening for the auditory tubes ensures communication between the nasopharynx and the tympanic cavity, ensuring that the pressures are equal in the regions. A problem with this communication is that it also allows infections that reach the pharynx to affect the ear region.
A oropharynx it arises after the nasopharynx and is situated just behind the mouth. The nasopharynx and oropharynx are incompletely separated by the soft palate. Movement of the soft palate during swallowing prevents food from moving to the nasal region of the pharynx. The pharynx communicates with the mouth through an opening called the isthmus of the fauces.
Finally, we have the laryngopharynx, located below the hyoid bone and behind the larynx. The laryngopharynx opens into the larynx and esophagus.
Note the regions of the pharynx in the figure.
To the Tonsils are important structures found in the pharyngeal region. They are made up of lymphatic tissue and are related to defense of our bodyacting in the production of lymphocytes, which are important to ensure protection against antigens that may be present in the air and food.
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The palatine tonsils are found in number of two and are present in the lateral wall of the oropharynx. Also called tonsils, these tonsils are larger in children than in adults, with involution of the structure being observed after puberty. A common problem affecting the palatine tonsils is the tonsillitisan inflammation of this region, which can be triggered by different agents, such as viruses and bacteria.
Inflammation can cause sore throat, ear pain, fever, headache, pus formation in the tonsils and bad breath. Treatment includes analgesics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, the latter being used when the infection is bacterial. Many people perform surgeries to remove tonsils, but removal of the structure is only indicated in specific cases, such as cases of recurrent tonsillitis.
Tonsillitis and pharyngitis can cause a sore throat.
A pharyngeal tonsil It is a unique structure located at the bottom of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx, located close to the choanae (openings that communicate between the nasal cavity and the pharynx). When the pharyngeal tonsil is enlarged, it can obstruct this communication in a situation known as an adenoid. It is worth noting that some authors use the term adenoid as a synonym for pharyngeal tonsil.
Finally, we have the lingual tonsils, which are located at the base of the tongue. They differ because they are found in greater numbers than other tonsils and because they have a small diameter.
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Pharyngitis
the pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharynx, which can be caused, for example, by viruses or bacteria, viruses being the main causes. In pharyngitis, the region becomes very reddish, and the patient may experience symptoms such as pain in the throat region, dry throat, difficulty swallowing food, fever and general malaise.
O diagnosis it is basically clinical, with observation of the area by the physician. Throat secretion may be collected to identify the cause of pharyngitis. Treatment varies according to the causative agent, being administered, for example, antibiotics in cases of bacterial infections. In pharyngitis, the use of anti-inflammatories and analgesics may also be recommended.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher