what is the function of the pharynx

The pharynx, also known as the throat, is a muscular tube that extends from the base of the skull to the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. It serves both the respiratory and digestive systems by receiving air from the nasal cavity and air, food, and water from the oral cavity. The pharynx has three parts: the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx. The nasopharynx is the portion of the pharynx that is posterior to the nasal cavity and extends inferiorly to the uvula. The oropharynx is the portion of the pharynx that is posterior to the oral cavity. The most inferior portion of the pharynx is the laryngopharynx that extends from the hyoid bone down to the lower margin of the larynx. The pharynx regulates the passage of air to the lungs and food to the esophagus. It also produces the voice and allows air to pass through to the lungs. The pharynx is an important part of the respiratory and digestive systems, and many medical issues can affect it, from a common cold to cancer.