Anatomy of the throat
The throat
The throat is a ring-like muscular tube that acts as the passageway for air, food, and liquid. The throat also helps in forming speech. The throat consists of:
- Larynx - also known as the voice box, the larynx is a cylindrical grouping of cartilage, muscles, and soft tissue which contains the vocal cords. The vocal cords protect the upper opening into the windpipe (trachea), the passageway to the lungs.
- Epiglottis - a flap of soft tissue located just above the vocal cords. The epiglottis folds down over the vocal cords to prevent food and irritants from entering the lungs.
Tonsils and adenoids - made up of lymph tissue and are located at the back and the sides of the mouth. They have little purpose and often cause medical problems such as obstructed breathing and recurrent infections.