Parts of the Throat and Neck

Hard palate: Separates the nose from the mouth.

Soft palate: The back of the roof of the mouth.

Epiglottis: Keeps food and liquids out of the trachea when you swallow.

Larynx (voice box): Produces sound used for speaking.

Eustachian tube: Tube that connects the throat to the ear.

Nasopharynx: Area at the top of the throat behind the nose.

Oropharynx: Area at the middle of the throat behind the mouth.

Hypopharynx: Area at the lower part of the throat.

Esophagus: Tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach.

Trachea: Tube that carries air between the throat and the lungs.

Lymph nodes: Bean-shaped organs that help the body fight infections.