Health Encyclopedia
Search Clinical Content Search Patient Health Library
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings

Parts of the Throat and Neck

Hard palate. This separates the nose from the mouth.

Soft palate. The back of the roof of the mouth.

Epiglottis. This keeps food and liquids out of the trachea when you swallow.

Larynx (voice box). This makes sound used for speaking.

Eustachian tube. The tube that connects the throat to the ear.

Nasopharynx. The area at the top of the throat behind the nose.

Oropharynx. The area at the middle of the throat behind the mouth.

Hypopharynx. The area at the lower part of the throat.

Esophagus. The tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach.

Trachea. The tube that carries air between the throat and the lungs.

Lymph nodes. Bean-shaped organs that help the body fight infections.

Side view of head showing mouth and throat anatomy.Three-quarter view of woman's head showing lymph nodes in neck.

Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
Date Last Reviewed: 8/1/2023
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Powered by Krames by WebMD Ignite

These resources and their content are provided by a third party for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the values and positions of Ascension, its ministries, or its subsidiaries.

About StayWell | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

The Services may integrate with Third-Party Apps or contain third-party content or provide links to third-party websites. For example, the Services may integrate with Third-Party App providers to provide you with information. You authorize Ascension to transmit information about You to and receive information about You from applicable third parties.
You agree that Ascension is not responsible for Third-Party Apps, third-party content or third-party websites, and does not make any endorsements, representations or warranties regarding the same. Your use thereof is at Your own risk and subject to the third party’s terms and conditions, as applicable. By using a Third-Party App or third-party content or websites, You agree to the applicable third party’s terms and conditions, even if Ascension does not present them to You at the time of Your use.