Oropharynx is the passageway of food?
The oropharynx is a part of the throat that is involved in the passage of food, but it is not the exclusive passageway for food. The oropharynx is located at the back of the mouth and connects the oral cavity to the laryngopharynx. It includes the base of the tongue, the soft palate, the tonsils, and the posterior pharyngeal wall.
During swallowing, food passes from the oral cavity into the oropharynx. The tongue helps to propel the food backward, and the muscles of the oropharynx contract to push the food into the laryngopharynx and subsequently into the esophagus. However, it is important to note that the esophagus is the primary passageway for food from the throat to the stomach. The oropharynx is also involved in respiration, as it allows air to flow from the nasal cavity and oral cavity into the larynx and trachea.