---
title: "Oropharynx Anatomy"
description: "A guide to the Anatomy of Oropharynx for medical students and ENT residents."
source: "The ENT Resident"
author: "Dr. Mausumi Das"
canonical_url: "https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/oropharynx-anatomy"
categories: ["Pharynx"]
video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMyiJbdSfWA"
image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/oropharynx-anatomy.png"
---

# Oropharynx Anatomy

A guide to the Anatomy of Oropharynx for medical students and ENT residents. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMyiJbdSfWA

## 🍽️ What is the Oropharynx?

The **oropharynx** is the second part of the pharynx, lying in continuation with the nasopharynx. 

It lies **opposite the oral cavity**, communicating with it via the **oropharyngeal isthmus**.


>What are the **boundaries of Oropharyngeal Isthmus**?

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### 📏 Extent of the Oropharynx

- **Upper limit**: Horizontal plane at the level of the **hard palate**.

- **Lower limit**: Horizontal plane through the **hyoid bone** (at the level of the **vallecula**, **upper border of the epiglottis**, and **pharyngoepiglottic folds**).

---

### 🌍 Boundaries of the Oropharynx

**1. Roof**

- Formed at the level of the **hard palate**.

**2. Floor**

- Formed by the **floor of the vallecula**.
- Also corresponds to the **upper border of the epiglottis** and the **pharyngoepiglottic folds**.

**3. Posterior Wall**

- Lies adjacent to the **retropharyngeal space**.
- Lies opposite **C2** and **upper part of C3 vertebrae**.

**4. Anterior Wall**

- **Deficient superiorly**, allowing communication with the oral cavity via the oropharyngeal isthmus.

- Below, lined by the following structures:
  - **Posterior third of the dorsum of the tongue**
  - **Lingual tonsils**
  - **Vallecula**
    - Cup-shaped depressions between the base of the tongue and the anterior surface of the epiglottis.

>What are the **boundaries of Vallecula**?

>Which type of cyst is commonly formed in Vallecula?

**5. Lateral Walls**

Main structures:

- **Palatine Tonsils**
  - Part of **Waldeyer’s ring**.
  - Located in the **tonsillar fossa**.

>Name all the structures forming the Waldeyer's Ring.

- **Anterior pillar (Palatoglossal arch)**
  - Formed by the **Palatoglossus muscle**.

- **Posterior pillar (Palatopharyngeal arch)**
  - Formed by the **Palatopharyngeus muscle**.

---

### 🩸 Lymphatic Drainage of Oropharynx

- Jugulodigastric lymph nodes **(Primary node for tonsils and oropharynx)**
- Retropharyngeal and Parapharyngeal lymph nodes → Jugulodigastric and posterior cervical groups
- **Base of tongue** may have **bilateral drainage**.

---

### 🧠 Nerve Supply of Oropharynx

- **Vallecula**: Supplied by the **Internal Laryngeal nerve** (branch of Superior Laryngeal nerve, which is a branch of Vagus nerve).

- **Rest of oropharynx mucosa**:
  - Predominantly by the **Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)**.
  - Partially by the **Lesser Palatine nerve**.

---

### ⚙️ Functions of the Oropharynx

- Air and Food Conduction
- Deglutition
- Speech
- Taste Appreciation

>Which areas are taste buds found in?
 
- Local Immunity

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## About This Note

This free ENT note on Oropharynx Anatomy was written by Dr. Mausumi Das and is paired with a corresponding video lecture.

Canonical page of this note: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/oropharynx-anatomy

When citing or referencing this content, please credit The ENT Resident and link to the canonical page above.

## Related Notes by Category

- Pharynx: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/category/pharynx.md

## About The ENT Resident

The ENT Resident is an educational website and resource library created by Dr. Mausumi Das (MS ENT) for ENT residents, ENT postgraduates preparing for exams, and MBBS students.

Dr. Mausumi Das writes the notes, draws the diagrams, and records the lectures herself.

Browse all ENT notes and lectures on The ENT Resident: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures.md

## Medical-use Boundary

The ENT Resident provides educational material for medical learning and revision. It does not provide patient-specific medical advice, diagnosis, or emergency care, and it is not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.

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