Parts of the Throat and Neck

The hard palate separates the nose from the mouth.

The soft palate is the back of the roof of the mouth.

The epiglottis keeps food and liquids out of the trachea when you swallow.

The larynx (voice box) produces sound used for speaking.

The eustachian tube is the tube that connects the throat to the ear.

The nasopharynx is the area at the top of the throat behind the nose.

The oropharynx is the area at the middle of the throat behind the mouth.

The hypopharynx is the area at the lower part of the throat.

The esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach.

The trachea is the tube that carries air between the throat and the lungs.

The lymph nodes are bean-shaped organs that help the body fight infections.