The Oral Cavity

The tongue has been reflected making it possible to see the structures at the back of the oral cavity. Air enters through the external nares and passes dorsal to the hard and soft palate in the nasopharynx. From there it passes into the laryngopharynx which lies just beyond the edge of the soft palate (arrow). The laryngopharynx is a space common to both the respiratory and digestive pathways. From the laryngopharynx air passes through the glottis. The opening to the left of the arrow. Test yourself.