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pharynx

(FAYR-inx)
The hollow, muscular tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and opens into the larynx and esophagus. It includes the nasopharynx (the upper part of the pharynx behind the nose), the oropharynx (the middle part of the pharynx), and the hypopharynx (the bottom part of the pharynx). The pharynx acts as a passageway for air to enter the larynx and lungs and food and liquid to enter the esophagus.  It also plays a role in speech. The pharynx is about 5 inches long, depending on body size.
More Information
Anatomy of the pharynx; drawing shows the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx. Also shown are the nasal cavity, oral cavity, hyoid bone, larynx, esophagus, and trachea.Enlarge this image in new window
Anatomy of the pharynx. The pharynx is a hollow, muscular tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and opens into the larynx and esophagus. The three parts of the pharynx are the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx.
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