In this article, the reader will find information about the structure of the human throat, its constituent elements and functions. In addition, we will consider what the nasopharynx, oropharynx and larynx are. Let's get acquainted with the features of the anatomical structure of these structures.
What is the throat and larynx?
The throat is one of the most important organs of the human body, belonging to the upper respiratory tract. Its structure promotes the movement of air through the respiratory organs, and allows food to enter the digestive tract. In addition, the area includes a huge number of nerve tissues, blood vessels and pharyngeal muscles important for human life. In the structure of the throat, the main parts are represented by the pharynx and larynx.
They continue to form the trachea. The structure of the throat and larynx is arranged in such a way that the first of these structures is responsible for the movement of air into the lungs, and food into the stomach, and the second structure takes responsibility for the vocal cords.
Device principle
The throat is a very complex organ responsible for breathing, speaking and moving food.
If you talkin short, its structure is based, as we said earlier, on the pharynx (pharynx) and larynx (larynx). Since this organ is a conducting channel, it is very important that all its muscles work smoothly and correctly. Inconsistency in their activities will lead to the fact that food can enter the respiratory system and create a dangerous situation, even lead to death.
The structure of the throat in a child is the same as in adults. But children have narrower cavities and tubes. As a result, every disease in which swelling of these tissues occurs can be extremely dangerous. It is desirable for a person to know the structure of such an organ, since this can be useful in the case of caring for him and during treatment. In the pharynx, the nasopharynx and oropharynx are isolated.
Throat
The pharynx (pharynx) is a cone-shaped structure turned upside down. It is located behind the mouth and descends to the neck. The cone is wider at the top. It is located near the base of the skull, which gives it more strength. The lower part is combined with the larynx. The layer of tissue covering the pharynx from the outside is represented by a continuation of the layer of tissues of the oral cavity lying outside. It has many glands that produce mucus, which is involved in the processes of moisturizing the throat when eating and talking.
Nasopharyngeal compound
In the structure of the throat and larynx, the structures that form them are distinguished, for example, the nasopharynx and oropharynx mentioned above. Consider one of them.
Nasopharynx - part of the pharynx,occupying the top position. From below it is limited to the soft palate, which, in the process of swallowing, begins to move upward. Thus, it covers the nasopharynx. This is necessary to protect it from food particles entering the respiratory tract. In the upper wall of the nasopharynx there are adenoids - tissue accumulations located behind its wall. This organ also has a tunnel connecting the throat to the middle ear. This formation is called the Eustachian tube.
The oropharynx is…
Another element in the structure of the human throat and larynx is the oropharynx.
This fragment is located behind the oral cavity. Its main function is to conduct the flow of air from the mouth to the respiratory organs. This part is more mobile than the nasopharynx. Due to this, with the contraction of the muscle tissues of the oral cavity, a person can speak.
We already know that certain constituent elements are distinguished in the structure of the throat, but they will also include other, even smaller components. Among them, one can single out the tongue, which helps to move food into the esophagus by contracting the muscular systems. And then there are the tonsils, which are very often involved in throat diseases.
Introduction to the larynx
There is another important component in the structure of the throat - the larynx.
This organ occupies a space at the level of the 4th, 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae. The hyoid bone is located above the larynx, and a group of hyoid muscles is formed in front. Lateralparts rests against the thyroid gland. The region behind contains the laryngeal fragment of the pharynx.
Cartilage forms the skeleton of this area, connecting with each other through ligaments, muscle groups and joints. Among them are paired and unpaired.
Paired cartilages:
- arytenoid pair;
- horn-shaped couple;
- wedge pair.
Unpaired cartilages:
- cricoid;
- epiglottic;
- thyroid.
In the muscular system of the larynx, there are three main groups of muscle formations. These include tissues responsible for shrinking the glottis, tissues designed to widen the vocal cords, and tissues that tighten the vocal cords.
General information about the structure of the larynx
The larynx has an entrance, in front of which there is an epiglottis, and on the sides there are scoop-epiglottic folds, represented by a number of wedge-shaped tubercles. Behind the organ lie arytenoid cartilages, represented by corniculate tubercles. These fragments are located on the mucous membrane, along its lateral parts. The cavity of the larynx includes the vestibule, the subvocal region and the interventricular region.
The first part originates in the area of the epiglottis and extends to the folds. Here, thanks to the mucous membrane, special folds are formed, between which there is a gap called the vestibule.
The subvocal region is the lower fragment of the larynx, passing into the trachea below.
Interventricular compartment - a narrow area between the upper foldsvestibule and lower vocal cords.
A number of shells are isolated in the larynx:
- mucous;
- fibrocartilage;
- connective tissue.
The main functions of the larynx are attributed to protective, voice-forming and respiratory. Each one has a special meaning.
The functions of breathing and protection form a close relationship with each other. This is due to the fact that air flows are delivered to the organs of the lungs, and at the same time, the direction of the flows is regulated. The regulation of the air path is provided by the activity of the glottis, capable of contraction and expansion. In addition, the glands located in the ciliated epithelium perform a protective function.
The structure of the ear, throat and nose, although different, but the relationship of these organs in the human body is extremely high. They merge with each other and are located approximately in the same areas. The activity of each component affects the operation of the other. Their role is to irritate the reaction, followed by coughing when food enters the path and respiratory organs. With the help of this mechanism, the larynx brings food into the oral cavity. This organ is also involved in the formation of the voice. The parameters of its height and sonority are determined by the anatomical structure of the larynx. For example, a hoarse voice appears due to insufficient moisture of the ligaments.
