page_title: Pharynx
section_title: Clinical significance
hierarchical_section_title: Pharynx / Clinical significance
context_page_description: The pharynx is the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, and above the esophagus and larynx – the tubes going down to the stomach and the lungs. It is found in vertebrates and invertebrates, though its structure varies across species.
  In humans, the pharynx is part of the digestive system and the conducting zone of the respiratory system. The human pharynx is conventionally divided into three sections: the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx. It is also important in vocalization.
  In humans, two sets of pharyngeal muscles form the pharynx and determine the shape of its lumen. They are arranged as an inner layer of longitudinal muscles and an outer circular layer.
caption: Pharyngitis is the painful swelling of the throat. The oropharynx shown here is very inflamed and red.
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