1) Pharynx (Throat): a) Starts at the internal nares and extends to the “Cricoid Cartilage” b) Composed of Skeletal muscle and lined with mucous membrane. c) Function: resonating chamber for speech. d) Superior portion nasopharynx (solely respiratory in function)
A) Nasopharynx – (Superior portion of the pharynx) 1) Has 4 openings, 2 internal nares and 2 auditory tubes 2) Pharyngeal Tonsils on the posterior wall (adenoids when they are swollen) 3) Ciliated columnar Epithelium beat the dirty mucus down toward the pharynx
B) Oropharynx – (middle portion of the pharynx) 1) Lined with nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium 2) Both respiratory and digestive 3) Palatine tonsils (soft palate) 4) Lingual Tonsils (base of the tongue)
C) Laryngopharynx (Inferior portion of the pharynx) 1) Lined with nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium 2) Is respiratory and digestive 3) Becomes continuous with the esophagus
2) Larynx (Voice Box) mostly ciliated columnar epithelium a) Passageway that connects the pharynx with the trachea. When anything but air passes the larynx a cough reflex attempts to expel the material. b) Composed of 9 pieces of cartilage – 1) Single (Thyroid), 2) Single (epiglottis), elastic cartilage. In contact with the base of the tongue during swallowing, superior surface - stratified squamous epithelium, inferior surface – ciliated columnar epithelium 3) Single (cricoid), ring of hyaline that forms the inferior wall of the larynx. 4) Paired (arytenoids tension on vocal folds), hyaline 5) Paired (thyroid or Adam’s apple) hyaline cartilage. Larger in males due to the influence of testosterone during puberty. Connected to the hyoid bone by the thyro-hyoid membrane. 6) Paired (corniculate cartilage) elastic cartilage
3) Trachea (Windpipe) – located anterior to the esophagus and extends from the larynx to the 5th thoracic vert where it divides into the primary bronchi. A) Wall of trachea from deep to superficial (mucosa, submucosa, hyaline cartilage, and advertitia (areolar connective tissue). B) Mucosa - ciliated columnar epithelium moving dirt up toward the pharynx C) The dorsal side of the trachea is muscle and elastic connective tissue called the “Trachealis muscle”