The oropharynx is the middle part of the pharynx, lying behind the mouth from the soft palate down to the upper edge of the epiglottis. It is shared by food and air. It contains the palatine tonsils between the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches, the base (posterior third) of the tongue and the valleculae in front of the epiglottis.
| Location | Behind the oral cavity, from the soft palate to the upper border of the epiglottis, roughly level with C2-C3 |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Glossopharyngeal nerve, CN IX (sensory); Pharyngeal plexus, vagus nerve (motor) |
| Blood Supply | Tonsillar branch of the facial artery; Ascending pharyngeal artery; Dorsal lingual arteries; Ascending palatine artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Passes food from the mouth to the laryngopharynx and air between the nasal and oral cavities and the larynx, and contributes lymphoid defence through the tonsils.
Oropharyngeal cancer, especially of the tonsil and tongue base, is increasingly caused by high-risk human papillomavirus and tends to occur in younger non-smokers with a better prognosis. The gag reflex is triggered here: the glossopharyngeal nerve carries the sensory limb and the vagus the motor response. Tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess are among the most common throat infections seen in practice.
Viral or bacterial infection of the palatine tonsils causing sore throat, fever, painful swallowing and enlarged tonsillar nodes.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil or tongue base driven by human papillomavirus, often presenting as a painless neck lump.
Pus collection beside the tonsil (quinsy) causing severe one-sided throat pain, trismus, muffled voice and deviation of the uvula.
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