General Medical Information

Pharynx and Larynx

Susan D. John
Michael D. Maves

The wall of the pharynx consists of mucosa and voluntary muscle. The mucosal structure of the pharynx varies. That of the nasal part is ciliated and resembles the mucosa of the nose. In the rest of the pharynx, the epithelium is stratified squamous tissue. The muscular wall of the pharynx with its thin covering of buccal pharyngeal or visceral fascia is separated from the prevertebral fascia by an area of loose connective tissue that constitutes the retropharyngeal space.