nasopharynx
Quick Summary
The nasopharynx is the upper part of the pharynx, located behind the nasal cavity. It primarily serves as an airway, connecting the nose to the oral pharynx. This region also houses the pharyngeal tonsil and is connected to the middle ear via the auditory tubes, which help equalize pressure.12
The pharynx itself is a cone-shaped passageway that functions in both respiration and digestion, leading from the nasal and oral cavities to the esophagus and larynx. It is composed of muscle and connective tissue. The pharynx has three divisions: the nasopharynx, the oral pharynx (connecting to the mouth), and the laryngeal pharynx (leading to the esophagus).1
A common ailment affecting the nasopharynx, especially in children, is the common cold, also known as acute nasopharyngitis. Enlarged adenoids, which are lymphoid tissue in the nasal part of the pharynx, can obstruct nasal breathing and contribute to ear infections.32
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