Throat

The throat is a common term for the part of the neck behind the mouth and nose that includes sections of the pharynx and the larynx. It functions as a passageway for air, food, and sound, and contains structures involved in breathing, swallowing, and voice production.

Anatomically, the throat comprises the pharynx and the larynx. The pharynx is divided into the nasopharynx (behind the nasal cavity), the oropharynx (behind the mouth), and the laryngopharynx (leading to the esophagus). The larynx sits anterior to the trachea and contains the vocal cords; the epiglottis helps direct food away from the airway during swallowing.

During swallowing, muscles of the pharynx propel a food bolus into the esophagus while the larynx moves upward and the epiglottis closes the airway.

Common conditions affecting the throat include sore throat (pharyngitis), tonsillitis, laryngitis, and hoarseness. Infections, viruses or bacteria, are frequent causes. Less common are throat tumors and structural problems, which may require medical evaluation. Diagnosis typically involves history, physical examination, and sometimes throat swabs or imaging.

The throat also hosts lymphoid tissue such as the tonsils and adenoids, which participate in immune defense, especially in childhood. In clinical contexts, relief of symptoms and targeted treatment depend on the underlying cause and may range from supportive care to antimicrobial therapy or further investigation.