The Pharynx

The Pharynx

• Funnel-shaped tube about 13 cm long
• Starts at the internal nares and extends to the level of the cricoid cartilage
• Lies posterior to the nasal and oral cavities
• Superior to the larynx
• just anterior to the cervical vertebrae
• wall composed of skeletal muscles that assists in deglutition
• lined with mucous membrane

Functions of the Pharynx

 Passageway for air and water
 Provides a resonating chamber for speech sounds
 Houses the tonsils, which participate in immunological reactions against foreign invaders

Anatomical Regions of the pharynx:

1. Nasopharynx –the superior portion of the pharynx. It lies posterior to the nasal cavity and extends to the soft palate.

 Receives air and packages of dust-laden mucus from the nasal cavity through the internal nares.
 Lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium; the cilia move the mucus toward the most inferior part of the pharynx.
 Also exchanges small amounts of air with the auditory tubes to equalize pressure between the pharynx and the middle ear.

*soft palate – an arch shaped muscular partition between the nasopharynx and oropharynx. It forms the posterior portion of the roof of the mouth and is lined by a mucous membrane.

5 openings in the wall of the soft palate:
 2 internal nares
 2 openings leading to the auditory/pharyngotymphanic tubes (Eustachian tubes)
 Pharyngeal tonsil (adenoid) – found on the posterior wall

2. Oropharynx - the intermediate portion of the pharynx. It lies posterior to the oral cavity and extends from the soft palate inferiorly to the level of the hyoid bone.

 Has only 1 opening, the fauces, which is an opening from the mouth.
 Has both respiratory and digestive functions. It serves as a common passageway for air, food and drink.
 Subject to abrasion by food particles
 Lined with nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium
 Location of 2 tonsils (palatine and lingual)

3. Laryngopharynx/Hypopharynx – the inferior portion of the pharynx

• Begins at the level of the hyoid bone
• Inferior end opens into the esophagus posteriorly and the larynx anteriorly
• Both a respiratory and digestive pathway
• Lined by nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium


Source: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 12th edition
By: Gerard J. Tortora and Bryan H. Derrickson

Let's All Survive RT School Together

Some of my Respiratory Therapy classmates called me to ask what the blog was all about. The blog contains nothing and everything, depending on what kind of student you are. Nothing for those who have done their own researches, and everything you need to know before next term for those who have been paying attention last semester.

Admittedly, the first posts will be very elementary, as I’m also reviewing the basics from last semester in preparation for next term’s subjects, which are:

·         Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Pathophysiology

·         Neuromuscular Anatomy and Pathophysiology

·         Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy

·         Patient Assessment

·         Principles of Pulmonary Rehabilitation

·         Airway Management and Cardiopulmonary

·         Pharmacology

The notes I’ll be sharing with you guys will get better, but I need to cover the basic stuff first. Hopefully, I’ll be able to read on cardiopulmonary diseases and compare notes with you before the summer break ends.

I found a number of Respiratory Therapy blogs from other students in different countries; you might also want to check on those.

Lastly, I will appreciate receiving contribution from you guys, if you have any that we can share with the others. Anything will do, even suggested topics to research on, or books you find helpful.

Let’s all survive RT school together!

The Respiratory System

The anatomical features of the Respiratory System include the airways - nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi; lungs and respiratory muscles.

It is responsible for the process of respiration, which is vital for the existence of living beings. Respiration refers to the exchange of gases – oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmospheric air, blood and the cells within the tissues.

Together with the Cardiovascular System, the Respiratory System contributes to homeostasis by providing gas exchange (intake of oxygen and elimination of carbon dioxide). The Cardiovascular System, on the other hand, transports blood containing the gases between the lungs and body cells. Failure of either system will disrupt homeostasis by causing rapid death of cells from oxygen starvation and buildup of waste products.

Other functions of the Respiratory System:

·         Participates in regulating blood pH

·         Contains receptors for the sense of smell

·         Filters inspired air

·         Produces sound

·         Rids the body of some water and heat in exhaled air

Classification of the parts of the Respiratory System

According to Structure

1.   Upper Respiratory System - nose, pharynx and associated structures

2.   Lower Respiratory System - larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs

According to Function

1.   The Conducting Zone – consists of a series of interconnecting cavities and tubes outside and within the lungs. These include the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and terminal bronchioles. Their function is to filter, warm, and moisten air and conduct it into the lungs.

2.   The Respiratory Zone - consists of tissues within the lungs where gas exchange occurs. These include the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli. They are the main sites of gas exchange between air and blood.