Function of the throat
The pharynx represents the connection between the oral cavity, nose, food and trachea. The main function of the throat is to transport both air and food from the mouth. For this purpose, it has a muscle layer which is able to contract in a ring shape and thus transport the chyme even against gravity if necessary.
After about 12-15 cm, the pharynx divides into the oesophagus and trachea. Here the separation of air and chyme takes place. The epiglottis, a cartilaginous plate that sits on the front of the windpipe, serves this purpose.
When swallowing, it is pressed onto the opening of the windpipe by the contracting muscles and closes it. The epiglottis then opens again automatically. This ensures that no chyme gets into the windpipe.
The throat is covered by mucous membrane, which is covered with tiny hairs in some places, especially in the nasopharynx. These serve on the one hand as filters for the air on its way to the lungs, and on the other hand they ensure self-cleaning by rhythmically beating out the collected particles in the direction of the stomach. In addition, there is a lot of lymphatic tissue in the throat (such as the pharyngeal tonsil), which helps to defend against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
Pharyngeal tonsil
The pharyngeal tonsil (lat. Tonsilla Pharyngea) is located on the roof of the throat and is part of the lymphatic pharyngeal ring, whose function is to intercept inhaled pathogens. It therefore has an immunological protective function.
Like the other tonsils, it consists of lymphatic tissue and is covered with mucosa. An enlarged pharyngeal tonsil, colloquially also called polyp, does not necessarily lead to complaints. In smaller children it is often enlarged and does not recede until puberty.
However, if the almond grows too much, it can impede nasal breathing. This leads to the affected person getting bad air while sleeping. Breathing through the mouth also increases the risk of infection for the lungs if breathing through the nose becomes difficult.
If the pharyngeal tonsil grows over the opening of the Eustachian tube (the connection between the throat and the middle ear), a negative pressure can develop in the tube, which promotes middle ear inflammation. If an enlarged pharyngeal tonsil causes discomfort, it is possible to remove it with a minor operation. The most important and most common disease of the throat is pharyngitis.
It is accompanied by a reddened throat and sore throat and is usually caused by harmless viruses. It occurs mainly in the cold months in the context of a cold. The throat can also be inflamed by bacteria.
In this case, the inflammation is accompanied by coatings on the back wall of the throat and the tonsils. This leads to much stronger sore throat and a stronger feeling of illness. In severe cases, these patients must also be treated with an antibiotic.
Throat diptheria is caused by the Corynebacterium diphteriae and can lead to difficulty swallowing, massive swelling of the throat, sore throat and fever. Especially the swellings can lead to obstruction of the airways in severe cases and thus become life-threatening. Very severe can be tumor diseases in the area of the throat.
Depending on the tumor localization, a distinction is made between oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal carcinomas. The prognosis often depends on the location of tumor occurrence and metastasis, because some tumors are often detected late due to their hidden localization and low symptomatology. Due to their proximity to the brain and numerous important structures, they are then very difficult to treat.
There are various types of cancer that can develop in the throat area.The most common form of cancer of the throat (pharynx carcinoma), however, is throat cancer, which can occur as a result of tobacco and alcohol consumption, carcinogenic substances (carcinogens) such as nitrosamines or infection with human papilloma viruses (HPV). Throat cancer is often asymptomatic for a long time and in most cases does not become noticeable until the lymph nodes (lymph node metastases) are affected by swelling in the neck area. Other symptoms that can be triggered by throat cancer are Sore throat, ear problems, difficulty swallowing, nosebleed or problems with nasal breathing.
A throat cancer can be detected by an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT specialist) through a mirror examination. However, if the cancer is deeper, an X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI is often necessary. The treatment of throat cancer is usually surgical removal of the ulcer (tumor) with subsequent radiation or, more rarely, chemotherapy.
However, the choice of therapy depends on the spread, size or type of cancer (tumor type). A swollen throat is usually the cause of pharyngitis, but can also be triggered by allergies or medication. In the case of inflammation, the swelling develops within hours to days due to the inflammatory process.
In the case of an acute allergic reaction, the pharyngeal mucosa can swell up within seconds to minutes, so that suffocation is imminent. If it is an acute allergic reaction, an emergency doctor must be called immediately, who can reduce the swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa with cortisone. However, if it is a side effect of the medication, caution must be exercised, as cortisone can be a possible cause of swelling.
In this case, the medication that caused the swelling should be replaced or discontinued. If the throat is swollen due to a cold, the disease that caused the swelling must be treated, but it is also possible to treat the swelling by active cooling (e.g. ice cubes) and sucking throat pastilles in parallel. The most common causes of a mucusy throat are infections of the pharynx, the paranasal sinuses or the bronchi.
In the case of a cold, for example, the mucus produced in the paranasal sinuses can flow down into the throat via a connection between the nose and throat, causing a feeling of a mucusy throat. But also in the case of an inflammation of the airways (bronchitis), pneumonia (pneumonia) or inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract (asthma) or chronic lung disease (COPD), mucus can be produced and expectorated. It is important to assess the mucus by quantity, color and viscosity to identify possible diseases.
A burning throat is usually an inflammation of the throat (pharyngitis). In most cases, this is caused by various viruses (adeno-, rhino-, corona-, influenza-, parainfluenza- but also herpes simplex, echo-, coxsackie-, Eppstein-Barr-, measles– or rubella-viruses) and, more rarely, bacteria (streptococci). These attack the sensitive pharyngeal mucosa and cause inflammation there.
Many patients describe the pain caused by such an inflammation as burning. The burning sensation is often accompanied by a feeling of dryness in the throat area, as well as fever, hoarseness, rhinitis and coughing. As a rule, an acute pharyngitis heals on its own or, in the case of bacterial infections, with antibiotic therapy.
Occurring complications such as tonsillitis, laryngitis or pus formation with encapsulation (abscess) are possible and require special, intensified therapy. However, a burning throat can also occur in chronic pharyngitis. The most common causes are not viruses or bacteria, but smoking, alcohol, gastric acid burping, dry room air or dust at the workplace.
Frequent moistening of the throat (drinking, sweets, chewing gum) protects the throat from drying out and inflammation. Throat pain is a common accompanying symptom of a cold, flu or tonsillitis. Therefore, it makes sense to look for the cause of the pain in these diseases.
Often they subside within a week. However, in rare cases, throat pain can also indicate dangerous diseases such as diphtheria or scarlet fever.If the pain does not disappear after a few days or if additional symptoms such as shortness of breath or high fever occur, a doctor should therefore be consulted. Home remedies such as tea or warm milk with honey can provide relief.
Sage, candy or tea can also help against the pain. Most pharmacies and drugstores offer over-the-counter lozenges, which also help against the pain. You can also gargle with salt water to disinfect and rinse the throat.
In general, it helps to drink plenty of fluids, whether warm or cold. It is also recommended to take it easy on the body for a few days and to avoid cold and great exertion. Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa that occurs very frequently, especially in winter, and is often a side effect of a flu-like infection.
Typical symptoms are a sore throat, a burning and scratching sensation in the throat, as well as difficulties in swallowing and speaking. Those affected often also have a reddened palate and the feeling that something is stuck in the throat. In addition, a slight fever is occasionally experienced.
Children are generally more frequently affected than adults, and they may also suffer from nausea. Inflammation of the throat caused by viruses cannot be treated as the cause, but usually heals on its own within a week. The symptoms can still be treated: Lozenges or painkillers are recommended for the sore throat and swelling, and your family doctor may prescribe medication for a high fever.
As a household remedy, it helps to drink a lot, ideally warm tea. Gargling with salt water or eucalyptus also provides relief and helps the mucous membrane to regenerate. It is also recommended to take care of the body for a few days and avoid cold and exertion.
Lack of sleep as well as smoking and alcohol consumption can delay the healing process. The inflammation should not be cooled with ice, because the strong cooling hinders the blood circulation and thus the fight against the inflammation by the immune system. Inflammation of the throat caused by bacteria usually shows itself in stronger symptoms and higher fever.
In this case, a doctor should be consulted, since bacterial pharyngitis can cause a serious secondary disease, rheumatic fever, and should therefore be treated with antibiotics. If the throat is affected by a fungus, one speaks of a thrush. This is characterized by white coating and a furry feeling and should be likewise shown to a physician.
A thrush is very rare in people with a functioning immune system. Throat cancer is a tumor in the throat area. Very often there is a degeneration of the mucous membrane (squamous cell carcinoma) rarely others.
Throat cancer occurs in Europe with a frequency of about 2-5 per thousand inhabitants, most frequently in men between the ages of 50 and 70. The exact causes are still unknown. However, smoking and regular consumption of alcohol are considered the greatest risk factors, as well as, according to recent studies, infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV).
Throat cancer itself often causes little or no symptoms for a long time. If symptoms occur, they are rather unspecific and, depending on their location, may include nosebleeds, difficulty swallowing, hotness or a “lump in the throat”. However, throat cancer tends to metastasize to other parts of the body in early stages.
Usually first into the lymph nodes located in the neck, which then swell and can be palpated by hand. If the tumor is detected early, it can often be completely removed by surgery. In later stages, additional radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be necessary. The aim of the therapy is to ensure the patient’s quality of life as far as possible by maintaining bodily functions such as speaking, swallowing and breathing. Since the course of the disease is highly dependent on the localization and stage at the time of detection, it is not possible to make a general prognosis on the course.
