Liz is a medical writer and illustrator with an MSc in Medical Art and a BA in Medical Illustration focusing on pre-medical sciences. She has worked with healthcare professionals and educators globally creating anatomically accurate learning materials.
The Throat
The human throat is a muscular tube that includes the pharynx and larynx, and allows food, liquid, and air to pass through the body. The pharynx connects the nose and mouth to both the lungs and the oesophagus (the tube where food passes through), while the larynx, also known as the voice box, helps protect the airway and produce sound. Together, these structures play a crucial role in breathing, swallowing, and speaking.
Anatomy Charts to Support Learning
To gain a deeper understanding of throat anatomy, our collection of anatomical charts and posters offers detailed, high-quality illustrations to enhance your learning experience. Whether you're a student, lecturer, or healthcare professional, these visual aids will make complex concepts more accessible and easier to understand, allowing you to grasp the intricacies of the throat’s structure and function.
The Pharynx
The pharynx connects the nose and the mouth to the larynx and the oesophagus. The primary function of the pharynx is to warm the air that we take in and transport this humidified air into the lungs. The pharyngeal muscles also play a vital role in digestion by helping food and liquid pass through into the larynx.
The pharynx is divided into three parts:
- Nasopharynx: Located behind the nasal cavity, allowing air to pass through.
- Oropharynx: Located behind the oral cavity, this section allows food to pass from the mouth into the laryngopharynx.
- Laryngopharynx: Situated behind the larynx (voice box), it guides food down to the oesophagus.
The Larynx
The larynx, also known as the voice box, houses the vocal cords and is located just above the trachea (windpipe). This section of the throat is responsible for sound production. Speech is vital for human communication, and it is generated by the larynx. When the vocal cords are relaxed, air passes through with ease. However, when the vocal cords contract, vibrations are created as air passes through, producing sound and allowing us to speak.
The epiglottis is a small piece of cartilage located at the upper part of the larynx that prevents food from entering the trachea. Air is directed from the laryngeal pharynx into the trachea and subsequently to the lungs.
Explore Anatomical Models
Our detailed anatomical throat models provide a clear visual representation of the muscles, bones, and tissues involved in the throat’s function. These models are perfect for students, educators, and healthcare professionals who wish to explore the throat's anatomy in a tangible, hands-on way. They allow for a deeper understanding of the pharynx, larynx, blood vessels, and nerve networks, making them ideal for study and teaching purposes.
Blood Supply of the Throat
The blood supply to the throat is provided by branches of the external carotid artery, including the ascending pharyngeal, tonsillar, maxillary, and lingual arteries. The pharyngeal veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart through the internal jugular vein, completing the circulatory process.
Nerves of the Throat
The throat is innervated by both sensory and motor nerves. The pharyngeal nervous plexus, which consists of the vagus nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, and maxillary nerve, provides the necessary nerve supply to the throat, allowing it to perform its functions in breathing, swallowing, and speaking.
Instantly Available Digital Downloads
Visual Aids to better Understand the Throat
Understanding anatomy can be far more effective with high quality visual tools. Our range of anatomical models, posters and revision guides allow students and professionals to deepen their understanding through visual and tactile learning. Whether you're preparing for an exam, teaching a class, or working in a clinical setting, our resources provide a practical and engaging way to study human anatomy.
