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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.
