Throat

The collective term for the structures at the back of the MOUTH that provide passage to the structures and organs of the trunk. The throat includes the pharynx, which carries food to the ESOPHAGUS and air to the TRACHEA, and the larynx, or voice box, which contains the VOCAL CORDS. The tonsils are at the back and top of the throat; the tongue extends to the front and top of the throat. A “sore throat” typically refers to discomfort involving any of these structures. The muscles of the throat participate in swallowing, BREATHING, and speech. The Adam’s apple, a bulge in the CARTILAGE visible on the front of the throat (more visible in men than women though present in both) marks the position of the THYROID GLAND and PARATHYROID GLANDS.

COMMON CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE THROAT:

• ADENOID HYPERTROPHY
• COUGH
• CROUP
• EPIGLOTTITIS
• LARYNGEAL CANCER
• LARYNGITIS
• LARYNGOCELE
• OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
• PERITONSILLAR ABSCESS
• PHARYNGITIS
• POSTNASAL DRIP
• SWALLOWING DISORDERS
• TONSILLITIS
• VELOPHARYNGEAL INSUFFICIENCY
• VOCAL CORD CYST
• VOCAL CORD NODULE
• VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS
• VOCAL CORD POLYP