Nasopharynx

Under the Nasopharynx Medicine understands the tripartite Nasopharynxcomposed of the nasopharynx, larynx and pharynx. The musculature of the nasopharynx separates the food passages from the airways. One of the most common complaints of this anatomical structure is pharyngitis.

What is the nasopharynx?

The nasopharynx is the part of the pharynx that is located below the base of the skull and above the main palate behind the nasal cavity. It is also known as the nasopharynx and corresponds to a fibromuscular tube structure. The mouth and the nasal cavity meet in this anatomical structure in a common respiratory and food pathway, which is located dorsally on the oral and nasal cavity.

This common path extends over the esophagus to the larynx and the base of the skull. The nasopharynx is up to 15 centimeters long. The nasopharynx is made up of three different sections: the hypopharynx, the epipharynx, and the mesopharynx. The boundaries of these three sections are not strictly defined.

Towards the back wall and the side walls, the nasopharynx consists of several muscles of the pharyngeal floor muscles. These so-called throat constricters extend into the esophagus, where they form the Laimer and Killian triangles. The nasopharynx is supplied with blood via six arteries. The venous outflow takes place via the dorsal pharyngeal plexus.

Anatomy & structure

The hypopharynx extends from the larynx to the cricoid cartilage. There it goes into the esophagus. In this area under the epiglottis lies the separation of the respiratory and food tracts. While the hypopharynx is also known as the larynx, the mesopharynx is called the pharynx.

The muscles of the mesopharynx merge into the membrane between the occipital bone and the atlas vertebrae. The dorsal side of this muscle is sutured with connective tissue. In the throat, the mesopharynx is in an open connection with the oral cavity and is adjacent to the soft palate. The epipharynx is the nasopharynx. The roof of this nasopharynx consists largely of lymphatic tissue. The nasopharynx is connected to the nasal cavities via the choanic openings. In the side wall of the nasopharynx, a tuba auditiva in each of the middle ears opens into the nasopharynx.

These junctions are surrounded by lymphoid tissue. The ear trumpet cartilage continues in the nasopharynx as a fold of the mucous membrane, which is also called the tube-pharynx fold. The so-called tube-throat muscle runs underneath. Towards the palate, the nasopharynx forms the tube-palate fold. Behind it lies a pocket of the mucous membrane, which is also known as the Rosenmüller pit.

Function & tasks

The nasopharynx connects the nasal cavities with the windpipe and the oral cavity is connected to the esophagus in this area. The respiratory and food paths cross each other in the nasopharynx. In view of this proximity, the muscles of the nasopharynx play an important role in preventing food components from being inhaled.

For example, when you swallow, the muscles of the nasopharynx automatically contract. Chewed food components are transported downwards. At the same time, however, the contraction also places the eppiglottis over the entrance to the larynx, which results in a seal. The aspiration of food components is avoided as far as possible. The entire musculature of the nasopharynx comes from the embryonic pharynx and is therefore largely controlled involuntarily. The auditory tuba, which opens into the nasopharynx, also takes on important functions in equalizing pressure in the middle ear.

Due to their confluence with the complex structures of the nasopharynx, humans can even arbitrarily bring about pressure equalization by swallowing or holding their breath. This is especially necessary when large differences in height or pressure are quickly traversed. When flying or diving, for example, the pressure conditions in the middle ear no longer match the external pressure conditions. Swallowing and holding your breath can help the auditory tuba adjust in these situations.

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Diseases

The nasopharynx can be affected by diseases of various types and degrees of severity. Pharyngitis, for example, is a comparatively harmless disease of this anatomical structure. It is a mostly painful inflammation of the mucous membrane in the throat area. This inflammation is usually preceded by an illness of the upper respiratory tract.

Pathogens can ideally spread in the structure of the nasopharynx and from here penetrate into different parts of the body. Most congenital diverticula are just as harmless as pharyngitis. The doctor speaks of diverticula in the nasopharynx when there are sagging in the nasopharynx. A more serious disease of the nasopharynx, however, is diphtheria. This disease is due to toxins produced by an infectious pathogen. Yellowish coating settles in the nasopharynx.

If this pseudomembrane passes over to the windpipe, then in the worst case there is even a risk of suffocation. The nasopharynx is also sometimes affected by tumors. Malignant throat cancer usually metastasizes to the cervical lymph nodes. Most pharyngeal cancer is malignant squamous cell carcinoma. About one in 100,000 people in Central Europe is newly diagnosed with throat cancer every year. The disease is more common in Asia, with men particularly affected.

In throat cancer, the roof and the side walls of the nasopharynx are usually affected first. However, the tumors spread relatively quickly into the nasal cavities and damage cranial nerves. But there are also benign tumors in the nasopharynx. One example is the so-called Tornwaldt cyst, which particularly affects the back of the nasopharynx.