What is the oropharynx?
The oropharynx is the middle part of the pharynx (throat), behind the mouth. The pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and ends where the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (tube from the throat to the stomach) begin.
What is the oropharynx and where is it?
The part of the throat at the back of the mouth behind the oral cavity. It includes the back third of the tongue, the soft palate, the side and back walls of the throat, and the tonsils.
What is oropharynx function?
The oropharynx serves both the respiratory and digestive systems. The oropharynx is the most critical region in swallowing and joins the oral cavity and nasopharynx with the larynx and hypopharynx.
Why is the oropharynx important?
Main functions of the pharynx The pharynx serves both respiratory and digestive functions. It is a 5-inch-long cylindrical tube that involves the passage of food and air into its appropriate chambers. The connection between the oral and nasal regions enables us to breathe through nose and mouth.
What are the boundaries of the oropharynx?
The boundaries of the oropharynx are the lower edge of the soft palate superiorly and the hyoid bone inferiorly. The anterior border is formed by the oropharyngeal inlet and the base of the tongue, and the posterior border is formed by the superior and middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles and their overlying mucosa.
What is posterior oropharynx?
The oropharynx is the portion of the pharynx that is posterior to the oral cavity. The most inferior portion of the pharynx is the laryngopharynx that extends from the hyoid bone down to the lower margin of the larynx. The upper part of the pharynx (throat) lets only air pass through.
What structures are in the oropharynx?
The four subsites contained within the oropharynx are the base of the tongue, the palatine tonsils and tonsillar pillars, the soft palate, and the pharyngeal wall.
Where is the oropharynx located?
The oropharynx is the portion of the pharynx that is posterior to the oral cavity. The most inferior portion of the pharynx is the laryngopharynx that extends from the hyoid bone down to the lower margin of the larynx.
How does the oropharynx develop?
Anatomy. The oropharynx starts superiorly at the junction of the hard and soft palate and at the plane created by the free edge of the soft palate. The anterior border of the base of the tongue is the circumvallate papillae. It extends inferiorly to the level of the plane created by the hyoid bone.
How do you examine oropharynx?
Examine the oropharynx by placing a mirror or tongue depressor on the dorsal surface of the tongue applying gentle pressure without having the patient stick their tongue out.
What is another name of oropharynx?
Oropharynx Synonyms – WordHippo Thesaurus….What is another word for oropharynx?
| throat | crop |
|---|---|
| craw | gullet |
| maw | oesophagusUK |
| pharynx | gorge |
| gula | throttle |