Nasopharynx:
The nasopharynx (nasal part of the pharynx) is the part of the pharynx that lies behind the nose and above the level of the soft palate; it differs from the oral and laryngeal parts of the pharynx in that its cavity always remains patent (open).
[edit] Anterior
In front it communicates through the choanae with the nasal cavities.
[edit] Lateral
On its lateral wall is the pharyngeal ostium of the auditory tube, somewhat triangular in shape, and bounded behind by a firm prominence, the torus tubarius or cushion, caused by the medial end of the cartilage of the tube which elevates the mucous membrane.
Two folds arise from the cartilaginous opening:
Behind the ostium of the auditory tube is a deep recess, the pharyngeal recess (fossa of Rosenmüller).
[edit] Posterior
On the posterior wall is a prominence, best marked in childhood, produced by a mass of lymphoid tissue, which is known as the pharyngeal tonsil.
Above the pharyngeal tonsil, in the middle line, an irregular flask-shaped depression of the mucous membrane sometimes extends up as far as the basilar process of the occipital bone; it is known as the pharyngeal bursa.
[edit] Additional images
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External and middle ear, opened from the front. Right side.
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[edit] See also
[edit] External links
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
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