Nasopharynx
Pars nasalis pharyngis
Also known as: epipharynx, postnasal space
The uppermost, purely respiratory part of the pharynx behind the choanae, housing the adenoids and the openings of the auditory tubes.
Overview
The nasopharynx extends from the skull base to the soft palate and communicates anteriorly with the nasal cavities through the choanae and inferiorly with the oropharynx through the pharyngeal isthmus, which the soft palate and the contracting superior constrictor (Passavant's ridge) close during swallowing, preventing nasal regurgitation. Because its roof and posterior wall rest on bone, it stays open at all times.
On each lateral wall lies the pharyngeal opening of the auditory (pharyngotympanic) tube, surrounded by the cartilaginous torus tubarius and tubal tonsil; the salpingopharyngeal fold descends from it. Behind the torus is the deep pharyngeal recess (fossa of Rosenmüller). The pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids) lies in the mucosa of the roof and posterior wall; it is prominent in childhood and regresses after puberty.
- Location
Behind the nasal cavities, above the soft palate, in front of the atlas and basi-occiput.
Parts & subdivisions
- Lymphoid aggregate in the roof/posterior wall, covered by ciliated epithelium.
- Opens during swallowing and yawning (tensor and levator veli palatini, salpingopharyngeus) to equalise middle-ear pressure.
- Pharyngeal recess (fossa of Rosenmüller)Slit-like recess behind the torus; commonest site of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Anatomy
- Innervation
Sensory: pharyngeal branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2). Motor (palate/pharyngeal muscles): vagus via pharyngeal plexus; tensor veli palatini by CN V3.
- Arterial supply
Ascending pharyngeal and pharyngeal branches of the maxillary artery; ascending palatine artery.
- Lymphatic drainage
Retropharyngeal nodes, then upper deep cervical nodes.
- Histology
Ciliated pseudostratified columnar (respiratory) epithelium with goblet cells; patches of stratified squamous epithelium increase with age.
Function
- Conducts air from the nasal cavity to the oropharynx.
- Ventilates and drains the middle ear via the auditory tube.
- Immune surveillance (adenoids).
Clinical significance
Adenoid hypertrophy
Enlarged adenoids in children cause mouth breathing, snoring, hyponasal speech, sleep-disordered breathing and recurrent otitis media with effusion ("glue ear") by obstructing the auditory tube; adenoidectomy may be indicated.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Associated with Epstein–Barr virus and common in Southern China and South-East Asia; often presents with a neck lump or a unilateral middle-ear effusion in an adult (tube obstruction), epistaxis or cranial nerve palsies from skull-base invasion.
Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Respiratory System sources. For education only; not medical advice.