Hypopharynx

Hypopharynx is the bottom part of the pharynx, a tube that connects the mouth and nose to the esophagus. The hypopharynx is a part of the throat that is located below the oropharynx and above the esophagus and larynx. The hypopharynx helps guide food and liquid into the esophagus and air into the larynx.

Anatomy

The hypopharynx is divided into three sections: the left and right pyriform sinuses, which are on either side of the larynx, and the postcricoid area, which is the back wall of the hypopharynx. The hypopharynx is lined with squamous epithelium, a type of tissue that also lines other parts of the digestive tract.

Function

The primary function of the hypopharynx is to guide food and liquid into the esophagus and air into the larynx. During swallowing, the larynx rises, which helps prevent food and liquid from entering the lungs. The hypopharynx also plays a role in speech, as it helps to regulate the flow of air through the larynx.

Diseases and Conditions

Several diseases and conditions can affect the hypopharynx, including hypopharyngeal cancer, which is a type of head and neck cancer. Other conditions that can affect the hypopharynx include Zenker's diverticulum, a condition in which a pouch forms in the hypopharynx, and pharyngitis, which is inflammation of the pharynx.

Treatment

Treatment for diseases and conditions of the hypopharynx depends on the specific disease or condition. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. For example, treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer may include surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.

See Also

• Pharynx
• Larynx
• Esophagus
• Oropharynx
• Pyriform sinus
• Postcricoid area
• Squamous epithelium
• Hypopharyngeal cancer
• Zenker's diverticulum
• Pharyngitis

Hypopharynx Resources
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