The pharynx, located at the back of the throat, serves as a crucial passage for both air and food. It plays a central role in the process of swallowing, facilitating the movement of food from the mouth to the esophagus, which leads to the stomach.
The pharynx also serves as a channel for air to travel from the nasal passages or mouth into the trachea, enabling respiration. Its structure includes muscles that help direct the appropriate pathway for food and air, preventing them from interfering with each other. The pharynx’s dual function supports both digestion and breathing processes in the body.
