throat

Of the throat is part of the respiratory system and the digestive tract. Breathing air as well as food is absorbed through it and passed on accordingly. Diseases of the throat are usually perceived as very unpleasant due to the constant stress.

What is the throat

Of the throat, in technical terms too Pharynx called, belongs to both the digestive tract and the respiratory tract in humans. It is therefore colloquially referred to as the "upper respiratory tract".

Through it, the human being absorbs both his food and his breath, which are then passed on through the esophagus or the windpipe into the corresponding organs. Although the throat is constantly needed for this reason, it is usually only consciously noticed when it causes illness or ailments.

Certain lifestyle habits such as smoking or dry heating air as well as diseases such as inflammation or even throat cancer are known to be typical diseases of the throat.

Anatomy & structure

The human throat is divided into three "floors". These are known as the nasal, mouth and larynx pharynx, depending on where exactly in the body each part is located.

At the very top is the nasopharynx. This also includes the tonsils and the entrance of the ear trumpet. Below is the pharynx, to which the tonsils and the so-called throat belong. The larynx, sometimes called the pharynx, denotes the lowest part of the entire pharynx.

All sections of the throat are equipped with a mucous membrane and are moved by different muscles, so that the versatile functions for the respiratory and digestive tract are guaranteed.

Function & tasks

In the animal world it is throat the part of the digestive tract following the mouth. In vertebrates and thus also in humans, it also fulfills a function as part of the respiratory system.

Both food and breath are taken in through the mouth. They pass through the pharynx into the esophagus or the windpipe and are then passed on to the stomach or lungs. The throat itself thus represents a kind of “meeting point” between the esophagus and the windpipe. To prevent food components from entering the airways, the larynx is closed with the so-called epiglottis when swallowing.

When breathing, on the other hand, the larynx remains open so that the air can flow through it unhindered. The muscle activity within the throat is controlled automatically without any conscious influence. Due to the upright posture, the human throat is slightly more curved than in many other mammals. This increases the risk of "swallowing".

Illnesses, ailments & disorders

Although the throat is constantly in use, it is usually only noticed when there is difficulty breathing or swallowing. These can be caused by a variety of factors and can be either harmless or more serious.

For some people, just inhaling dry heated air in winter is enough to irritate the mucous membranes in the throat and cause discomfort. Cold symptoms such as coughing, hoarseness and sore throat also lead to uncomfortable scratching when breathing and swallowing. In these cases, however, the mucous membranes can usually be soothed again within a few days and the symptoms subside.

Inflammation of the tonsils or larynx infections require treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and / or antibiotics. Heavy smokers often complain of an irritated mucous membrane in the throat, which is caused by inhaling the tobacco and nicotine-containing smoke. In the worst case, cancer can develop in the pharynx, such as larynx or throat cancer. Since these serious illnesses usually only lead to symptoms at an advanced stage, they often remain undetected for a long time.

Cancer may be treated surgically by removing the tumor. In addition, chemotherapy usually takes place, which prevents the cancer cells from growing and ultimately destroys them. The fundamentally potentially fatal cancers always have the best prognosis if they are recognized and treated in good time. A doctor should therefore always be consulted in the event of unexplained or persistent complaints.

You can find your medication here