The throat and larynx are important components of the body with a huge range of functions and a very complex structure. It is thanks to the throat and lungs that people breathe, the oral cavity is used for eating food, and also performs a communicative function. After all, we owe the ability to make articulate sounds to the mouth and tongue, and communication through speech is the main form of human communication.
How does the human throat work?
Throat anatomy is quite complex and interesting to study, not only for the purpose of general development. Knowledge about the structure of the throat helps to understand how to carry out its hygiene, why it is necessary to take care of the throat, how to prevent the onset of diseases and effectively treat diseases if they occur.
The throat consists of the pharynx and larynx. The pharynx (pharynx) is responsible for getting air through the respiratory tract into the lungs and for moving food from the mouth into the esophagus. The larynx (larynx) regulates the functioning of the vocal cords, ensures the production of speech and other sounds.
The throat is located in the region of the 4th and 6th cervical vertebrae and looks like a tapering cone to the bottom. The throat begins from the hyoid bone and, going down, the transition to the trachea. The upper part of this canal provides its strength, while the lower part connects to the larynx. The throat and pharynx merge in the mouth. On the sides are large vessels, behind - the pharynx. In the throat of a person is the epiglottis, cartilage, vocal cords.
The larynx is surrounded by nine hyaline cartilages, united by joints, that is, movable joints. The largest of the cartilages is the thyroid. It is formed of two parts, visually resembling square plates. Their connection forms the Adam's apple, located on the front side of the larynx. Kadik is the largest cartilage in the larynx. The quadrangular plates of cartilage in men are combined almost at an angle of 90 degrees, which is why the Adam's apple clearly protrudes on the neck. In women, the Adam's apple is palpable, but it is more difficult to distinguish it on the surface of the neck, since the plates are aligned at an angle of more than 90 degrees. From the outside of each plate, both men and women have two small cartilages. They have an articular plate that connects to the cricoid cartilage.
Cricoid cartilage is shaped like a ring thanks to the arches on the sides and front. Its task is to provide a mobile connection with the thyroid and arytenoid cartilage.
The arytenoid cartilage, which performs the speech function, consists of hyaline cartilage and elastic processes, to which the vocal cords are attached. The epiglottis cartilage, located at the root of the tongue and visually similar to a leaf, is joined with them.
The epiglottis together with the epiglottis cartilage performs a very important function - it separates the respiratory and digestive tracts. At the moment of direct swallowing of food, the "gate" to the larynx is closed, so that food does not penetrate into the lungs and to the vocal cords.
The voice is also formed thanks to cartilage. Some of them provide tension to the ligaments of the throat, which affects the timbre of the voice. Others, arytenoid, shaped like pyramids, allow movement of the vocal cords and regulate the size of the glottis. Increasing or decreasing it affects the volume of the voice. This system is limited to the vocal folds.
The difference in the structure of the throat of an adult and a child is insignificant and consists only in the fact that babies have less cavities. Therefore, throat diseases in babies, accompanied by severe swelling, threaten to block the access of air to the respiratory tract.
Women and children have shorter vocal cords than men. In infants, the larynx is wide, but short, and is three vertebrae higher. The timbre of the voice depends on the length of the larynx. In the transitional age, the formation of the larynx is completed, and the voice of boys changes significantly.
The human pharynx consists of several parts. Let's consider each of them in more detail.
The nasopharynx is located behind the nasal cavity and is connected to it by means of openings - choanas. Below the nasopharynx passes into the middle pharynx, on the sides of which the auditory tubes are located. The inner part consists of a mucous membrane completely covered with nerve endings, mucus-producing glands and capillaries. The main functions of the nasopharynx are warming the air inhaled into the lungs, humidifying it, filtering microbes and dust. It is also thanks to the nasopharynx that we can recognize and smell odors.
The mouth is the middle section of the throat, consisting of the uvula and tonsils, bounded by the hyoid bone and palate. It connects to the mouth with the help of the tongue, ensures the movement of food through the digestive tract.
The tonsils perform a protective and hematopoietic function. Also located in the pharynx are the palatine tonsils, called glands or lymphoid clusters. The glands produce immunoglobulin, a substance that can fight off infections. The main function of the entire oropharynx is to deliver air to the bronchi and lungs.
The lower part of the pharynx is connected to the larynx and goes into the esophagus. It provides swallowing and breathing, and is controlled by the lower part of the brain.
Throat and larynx functions
In summary, the throat and larynx do:
Protective function - the nasopharynx warms the air when inhaled, cleans it of germs and dust, and the tonsils produce immunoglobulin to protect against microbes and viruses.- Voice-forming function - cartilage controls the movement of the vocal cords, while changing the distance between the vocal cords regulates the volume of the voice, and the force of their tension - the timbre. The shorter the vocal cords, the higher the tone of the voice.
- Respiratory function - air enters first into the nasopharynx, then into the pharynx, larynx and trachea. The villi on the surface of the pharyngeal epithelium prevent foreign bodies from entering the respiratory tract. And the structure of the nasopharynx itself helps to avoid asphyxia and laryngospasm.
Protective function - the nasopharynx warms the air when inhaled, cleans it of germs and dust, and the tonsils produce immunoglobulin to protect against microbes and viruses.Prevention of throat diseases
In the cold season in countries with a temperate climate, it is very easy to get sick with a cold or sore throat. In order to avoid throat diseases and viral diseases, you should:
- Cleanse the throat with gargles. For rinsing, use warm water, gradually lowering its temperature. Instead of water, you can use a decoction of medicinal plants - calendula or sage, pine cones, eucalyptus.
- Change your toothbrush once a month and after an illness, so as not to become infected with microbes remaining on the brush again, visit the dentist.
Constantly strengthen the immune system with a varied and nutritious diet, drink not too hot tea with lemon or fruit drink from wild berries and fruits. For preventive purposes, you can use a decoction and rosehip syrup, propolis, garlic.- If possible, limit contact with the sick, use gauze bandages.
- Avoid hypothermia, wet feet in cold weather.
- Periodically ventilate the room, carry out wet cleaning.
- At the first symptoms of a throat disease, provide protection from the cold, take antiviral agents. The ideal throat medicine is honey, a natural antiseptic. Honey should be consumed not only during illness, but also for prophylaxis every day.
- Seek medical attention promptly. Antibiotics can be taken only after consulting a doctor and on his recommendation. Any course of treatment with a favorable course of the disease is best completed in order to avoid complications.
Constantly strengthen the immune system with a varied and nutritious diet, drink not too hot tea with lemon or fruit drink from wild berries and fruits. For preventive purposes, you can use a decoction and rosehip syrup, propolis, garlic.Do not forget that the throat and larynx must be carefully protected, since their diseases, especially in the acute form, are fraught with serious consequences.If it was not possible to avoid the disease, it is worth visiting a doctor, because self-medication and the uncontrolled use of folk recipes can undermine your health.
The complex structure of the throat is due to the many interacting and complementary elements that perform important functions for the human body. Knowledge in the field of throat anatomy will help you understand the work of the respiratory and digestive systems, prevent throat diseases and choose an effective treatment for emerging diseases.
