Word parts
What it means
A muscular tube shared by the breathing and digestive systems. It has three parts: the nasopharynx behind the nose, the oropharynx behind the mouth, and the laryngopharynx above the voice box and esophagus. The tonsils sit in its walls.
For the nurse
A sore throat with trouble swallowing or drooling, or swelling at the back of the throat, can threaten the airway; report it.
At a glance
| Everyday words | throat |
|---|---|
| Spanish | faringe |
| Also written | pharyngeal |
Easy to confuse with
larynx
The voice box: the part of the airway in the neck, above the windpipe, that holds the vocal cords.
Related terms
esophagus
The muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach.
dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing.
airway
The passages that carry air into and out of the lungs, from the nose and mouth to the smallest air tubes.
larynx
The voice box: the part of the airway in the neck, above the windpipe, that holds the vocal cords.