The fornix pharyngis is an element in the human skull. It belongs to the area of the nasopharynx. It houses the pharyngeal tonsil.
What is the fornix pharyngis?
The fornix pharyngis is a component of the human pharynx. It is located at the border of the skull with the throat. The pharynx can be considered like an extension of the mouth region. It is located behind the mouth and nose. Important tasks take place in it. They include the swallowing process, the regulation of breathing and the formation of sound during speech. The fornix pharyngis belongs to the pharyngeal system. It does not have a direct function, for example, in the swallowing process. Its function is more passive. It protects the pharyngeal tonsils, which are located in the throat to stabilize the immune system. They are paired and are part of the immune system. The fornix pharyngis forms the roof of the pharyngeal head. It is a type of arch or vault inside the human skull. Although the fornix pharyngis has no specific function, it is an important element of the pharynx. It transmits information and modulates the tasks of the surrounding regions. It retains its function even after the tonsils are removed. It continues to support the immune defense system.
Anatomy and structure
The pharynx is also known as the throat or pharynx. It is located as a transition between the head and the neck. The pharynx is a muscular tube about 10-15 cm long with a vertical course. It begins at the respiratory tract and ends at the cricoid cartilage. This is called the cartilago cricoidea and is located as the laryngeal cartilage in the upper part of the larynx. There are a total of 3 openings of the muscular tube. The upper opening of the pharnyx is called the pars nasalis pharyngis. It includes the nasopharnyx and the epipharynx. It consists of the choanae, the fornix pharyngis and the ostia pharyngea tubae auditivae. The latter is formed by the torus tubarius and the levator bulge. The levator veli palatini muscle passes through the levator bulge. The choanen is a kind of funnel. In it are the openings to the nasal cavity. The fornix pharyngis is the part of the posterior nasal opening. It attaches to the base of the skull and overlays the pharyngeal tonsil, tonsilla pharyngealis, as the roof of the pharyngeal head. Even if the tonsils have been removed, the roof of the pharyngeal head remains.
Function and tasks
The tasks of the pharyngeal fornix include primarily a protective function. It does not have an active role in regulating respiration, phonotonia, or the act of swallowing. Nevertheless, it is an important area within the immune system. It protects the pharyngeal tonsil. The tonsil pharyngealis is also located in the roof of the pharynx and is a tissue-like structure that visually resembles a tonsil. It consists of a lymphatic tissue. This contains numerous lymph follicles and is soft. There are neither bones nor cartilage in the pharyngeal tonsil. It belongs to the immune system of the human organism. Its task is to defend against pathogens such as germs or viruses. The mouth and throat are regions of the body that are particularly susceptible. Different bacteria or germs enter the body through the respiratory tract, the mucous membrane or food. The pharyngeal tonsil serves the immune defense and is protected by the fornix pharyngis. Nevertheless, the two systems only work together to a limited extent. The fornix pharyngis passes on the information it receives, but cannot itself actively fight the pathogens in the nasal mucosa, for example. Nevertheless, the fornix pharyngis remains contained in the pharynx even after a frequently performed removal of the tonsils. On if it then no longer protects the pharyngeal tonsil, it still has the protective function for surrounding vessels, tissue structures or forwarding of salivary flow.
Diseases
Diseases that originate in the pharyngeal region include bacterial and viral infections. They usually cause the pharyngeal tonsil and surrounding mucous membranes to swell and become red. The act of swallowing is made more difficult and experienced as slightly painful. The food has to be crushed more to make the passage from the mouth to the throat possible. In most cases, sufferers refrain from eating or prefer mushy food. Taste is usually impaired in the presence of infection. Likewise, there are other complaints such as fever, headache or pain in the limbs. The pharyngeal tonsil can be the origin of adenoids. This disease usually occurs in childhood.This is a chronic inflammation caused by bacteria or viruses. It usually ends in surgical removal of the polyps. The congenital disease of cleft palate and jaw can reach deep into the throat. In this case, there is a malformation of the lips, jaw or palate. The cleft may affect parts of the above regions or unite all of them. This affects breathing, swallowing and phonation. In most cases, a surgical intervention is performed in the first weeks of life after birth, in which a correction is made. Depending on the severity present, the fornix pharyngis may be affected. Carcinoma may form in the pharynx. In particular, nasopharyngeal carcinoma or pharyngeal carcinoma have their point of origin in the pharynx. Nasopharyngeal and pharyngeal cancers occur rarely, but are diagnosed in all age groups. Unfortunately, they are often difficult for medical professionals to access.