Digestive System Pharynx Our Respiratory system pharynx 1

Digestive System Pharynx

Our Respiratory system pharynx 1) nostril, 2) nose, 3) nasal cavity, 4) superior nasal concha, 5) middle nasal concha, 6) inferior nasal concha, 7) nasopharynx, 8) oropharynx, 9) laryngopharynx 10) larynx, 11) trachea, 12) bronchus, 13) lung, 14) thyroid cartilage

Where is the pharynx located ? The cavity at the back of the mouth. Is cone-shaped and has an average length of 76 mm. Lined with mucous membrane Part of the digestive system and repiratory system of many organisms. A flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent choking or aspiration. In humans, the pharynx is important in vocalization.

More about Mucous membrane The mucous membranes are linings of mostly, which are involved in absorption and secretion. It is found at several places continuous with skin: at the nostrils, the lips, the ears, the genital area, and the anus and the pharynx.

FUNCTION of the pharynx Facilitate the passage of the food bolus into the esophagus. Pharynx is designed to direct the food bolus in this direction. Second phase of swallowing takes place at the pharynx. The moistened food bolus is moved to the back of the mouth by the tongue An involuntary swallowing reflex is triggered which prevents food from entering the respiratory tract. The tongue closes off the mouth, the soft palate blocks the nose, and the larynx rises such that the epiglottis closes off the trachea. Food then moves from the pharynx into the esophagus.

Thus no digestion and absorption takes place. Reason for absence of absorption: The food haven’t been digested Reason for absence of digestion: there is no presence of enzymes

Structure of pharynx

Pharynx • Starts at the internal nostrils and extends partway down the neck • The wall of the pharynx is made up of skeletal muscles and lined with a mucous membrane • 2 functions: • a passageway for air and food, and • a resonating chamber (amplifying sounds) for speech sounds • Consist of 3 divisions Figure 1 -4. The nose.

The pharynx Look carefully. . .

Never mind if you still don't know……

Real live organ Now I bet you will know

The structure of pharynx (I) Pharynx describes the part of the throat that begins from behind the nose to the beginning of the voice box and the oesophagus.

Divisions IN PHARYNX

Divisions Nasopharynx-Specifically related to the respiratory system. Location: above the soft palate, 2 nostrils lead into nasopharynx. The auditory tubes open into the nasopharynx. connect it with the middle ears to equalize the surrounding & body pressure Tonsils (adenoids) are located in the upper wall of the nasopharynx.

Soft palate Floor of the nasopharynx Closes off the upper respiratory passageways during swallowing.

Divisions oropharynx-related to digestive system Location: below the soft palate and above the upper edge of the epiglottis. The epiglottis is the flap that prevents food from entering the larynx during swallowing.

Divisions laryngopharynx-common to respiratory & digestive system. Location: below the edge of the epiglottis The digestive and respiratory systems lead into this part from above and lead off from it below.

Structure of pharynx (i) • The muscles of the pharynx consists of three pharyngeal constrictors: • superior • middle • inferior • stylopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus muscles

Structure of Pharynx (ii) Front of nasal part of pharynx, as seen with the laryngoscope

Structure of Pharynx (iii) • Muscles of the pharynx, viewed from behind, together with the associated vessels and nerves. (Modified after Testut. )

• symptoms • no symptoms • If symptoms are present, If pharynx is damaged and similar to those of upper respiratory infections such not functioning properly due as colds and other viruses. • cancer : to certain diseases, genetic • slight sore throat that lasts birth defects or injuries. . . for over 2 weeks • hoarseness or a change in your voice so that your voice • pharyngeal cancer sounds muffled • cause is unknown • trouble with swallowing or • common among heavy smokers and feeling of incomplete people who drink large amounts of swallowing alcohol. • earache or blocked ear • 7 times more common in men than • bloody phlegm coughed up women and generally occurs after age 50. • swollen lymph node in the neck • Untreated cancer often spreads throughout the throat area to the • hard lump in the throat or in lymph nodes and into the neck lymph node. bloodstream, where the cancer is carried to other parts of the body. • Large tumor block the throat, cutting off the air • If no treatment, it will continue to supply, possibly causing you spread and become life-threatening. to pass out or suffocate.

• Treatment • Radiation therapy to shrink the malignant tumor. • Surgery to remove the tumor. Tissue removed from another part of your body would be used to replace a part of the pharynx. • Chemotherapy with or without radiation treatments and with or without an operation if the tumor is large and has spread. Side effects or complications from radiation or chemotherapy happens such as: nausea. Your health care provider may suggest medicines for nausea and vomiting. Your provider may prescribe corticosteroid drugs to help with possible side effects of cancerfighting treatments. • If early stage: these treatments may result in complete cure.

Do you think we can still survive without the pharynx ? Any failure or missing of the pharynx can cause breathing, swallowing and voice problems. Without the pharynx, it WILL cause choking or aspiration as food when swallowed may enter the windpipe by accident. When that happens, the person will be suffocated.

Aspiration occurs when some kind of material particulate (food, foreign body) or fluid (gastric contents, blood, or saliva)-enters from the pharynx into the trachea With all these RISKS of having these problems choking , aspiration , DO YOU THINK ONE CAN STILL SURVIVE IN A CONDITION WITHOUT A VITAL ORGAN? ?

glossary • aspiration is the entry of secretions or foreign material into the trachea and lungs. The patient may either inhale the material, or it may be blown into the lungs during positive pressure ventilation or CPR.

Koh Shi Hui (06) Lim Swee Ling (09) Lim Zihuan (10) Niew Yan Ling (14) Tee Hui Yi (17) 3 T 2 Websites : http: // www. hopkinsgi. org/multimedia/database/intro_250_swallow. swf http: //www. sghhealth 4 u. com. sg/Health 4 U/otolaryngology/the_thr oat. htm

Let’s have a short quiz , shall we ?

The nose chamber is sealed by the soft palate/palate so the food doesn't enter the nose. What happens as a food bolus is pushed back by the tongue into the pharynx?

A cough is a sign that nerves in the pharynx (upper throat), larynx (throat), trachea (main breathing tube) or large bronchi (breathing tubes in the lungs) are irritated. Why do we cough or simply why does a cough occur ?

Little bird, tell me where is the position of the pharynx ? It is located at the back of the mouth.