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The Throat, Vocal Cords, and Epiglottis
Merck Manuals
Anatomy
throat Audio
throat [ throht ]
Definitions related to throat:
  • The hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach). The throat is about 5 inches long, depending on body size.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • The narrow passage from the mouth to the cavity at the back of the mouth.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • The throat (pharynx) is located behind the mouth, below the nasal cavity, and above the hollow tube that leads from the throat to the stomach (esophagus) and windpipe (trachea). It consists of an upper part (nasopharynx), a middle part (oropharynx), and a lower part (hypopharynx). The throat is a muscular passageway through which food is...
    Merck Manuals
    Merck & Co., Inc., 2025
  • The throat (see the image below) is part of both the digestive and respiratory systems and is responsible for coordinating the functions of breathing and swallowing. From superior to inferior, the throat is subdivided into 3 sections: oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx.
    Medscape
    WebMD, 2025
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.

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