nasopharyngeale

The nasopharyngeal region, also known as the nasopharynx, is the upper part of the pharynx located behind the nasal cavity and above the soft palate. It extends from the choanae (nasal openings) to the upper border of the soft palate and serves as a passageway for air while separating the nasal cavity from the oropharynx. Its lateral walls house the opening of the pharyngotympanic (eustachian) tube, which connects to the middle ear and helps equalize middle-ear pressure.

Anatomically, the nasopharynx contains the pharyngeal tonsil, commonly referred to as the adenoids, on its posterior wall. The torus tubarius, a cushion of cartilage surrounding the pharyngotympanic tube opening, and the pharyngeal recess behind the torus tubarius are characteristic features. The surrounding skull base, including the sphenoid and occipital bones, forms its anterior and superior boundaries, while the soft palate forms its inferior boundary.

The nasopharynx conducts air from the nasal cavity and contributes to conditioning the air by mucosal filtering and humidification. It also plays a role in immune defense, with the pharyngeal-associated lymphoid tissue (adenoids) contributing to early immune responses to inhaled pathogens.

Blood supply arises mainly from branches of the ascending pharyngeal and maxillary arteries, with venous drainage to the pharyngeal venous plexus. Innervation is primarily sensory via the glossopharyngeal nerve, with additional contributions from the vagus nerve. Lymphatic drainage targets retropharyngeal and upper deep cervical nodes.

Clinical relevance includes adenoid hypertrophy in children, which can cause nasal obstruction and otitis media with effusion, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a malignant tumor associated with Epstein-Barr virus in certain populations.