faringea

Faringea is an adjective used in some Romance languages, particularly Spanish and Portuguese, to denote relation to the pharynx. In English, the corresponding term is pharyngeal. The pharynx is a muscular tube that forms part of both the digestive and respiratory systems, extending from the base of the skull to the upper esophagus and larynx, and linking the nasal and oral cavities with the larynx and esophagus. It is traditionally divided into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Structures described as faringeas include the pharyngeal muscles (the superior, middle, and inferior constrictors; stylopharyngeus; palatopharyngeus; salpingopharyngeus) and the nerves and vessels that supply the region. The pharyngeal plexus, formed primarily by branches of the vagus nerve (X) with contributions from the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), provides motor innervation to most pharyngeal muscles and sensory innervation to the pharyngeal mucosa.

Functionally, the pharynx participates in swallowing, guiding a bolus from the oral cavity into the esophagus, and serves in airway protection during the swallow. It also contributes to resonance in voice and to oral–nasal separation.

Clinical relevance: Terms referring to the pharynx appear in descriptions of diseases and procedures affecting this region, such as pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx), pharyngeal tumors, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In English medical terminology, the equivalent adjective is pharyngeal rather than faringeal.