What is the nasopharynx and where is it located?

The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the pharynx, located posterior to the nasal cavities and superior to the soft palate. It serves as part of the respiratory tract and connects to the nasal cavity through openings called choanae.

What are the key anatomical boundaries of the nasopharynx?

The nasopharynx is bounded by: Roof - sphenoid and occipital bones; Floor - soft palate and pharyngeal isthmus; Anterior wall - posterior nasal apertures (choanae); Posterior wall - supported by the atlas (C1 vertebra); Lateral wall - contains medial pterygoid plate and nasopharyngeal structures.

What important structures are found in the nasopharynx?

Key features include: Nasopharyngeal tonsil (lymphoid tissue at roof-posterior wall), opening of the auditory tube (surrounded by tubal elevation), salpingopharyngeal and salpingopalatine folds, and the pharyngeal recess (fossa of Rosenmüller).

How does the nasopharynx prevent food from entering during swallowing?

During swallowing, Passavant's ridge (a U-shaped loop formed by palatopharyngeus and superior constrictor muscles) elevates in the posterior pharyngeal wall. This, combined with soft palate elevation, closes the pharyngeal isthmus to block food entry into the nasopharynx.

What are adenoids and what problems can they cause?

Adenoids are enlarged nasopharyngeal tonsils, common in children. They can obstruct the choanae and auditory tubes, leading to nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, nasal discharge, recurrent ear infections, and speech changes.

What type of tissue lines the nasopharynx?

The nasopharynx is lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium (respiratory epithelium), similar to the nasal cavity. Its walls are rigid and non-collapsible to maintain airway patency.

Nasopharynx – Boundaries, Auditory Tube & Adenoids