Skip to main content

Unfortunately we don't fully support your browser. If you have the option to, please upgrade to a newer version or use Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Safari 14 or newer. If you are unable to, and need support, please send us your feedback.

Elsevier
Publish with us
Mucosa of Nasopharynx
Respiratory System

Mucosa of Nasopharynx

Tunica mucosa partis nasalis pharyngis

Read more

Structure/Morphology

The nasopharyngeal mucosa begins at the posterior aspect of the nasal cavity. It extends in a posteroinferior manner to the uvula of the soft palate where it is continuous with the mucosa of the oropharynx. Underlying the mucosa is the pharyngobasillar fascia and the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle.

Complete Anatomy
The world's most advanced 3D anatomy platform
Try it for Free

Key Features & Anatomical Relations

The auditory tube (also known as the pharyngotympanic or the Eustachian tube) opens into the nasopharynx. The mucosal lining of the pharynx is continuous with the auditory tube and, thus, infections may spread from the oral or nasal cavities to the ear.

A mucosal fold forms around the opening of the auditory tube called the torus tubarius. It extends inferiorly as the salpingopharyngeal fold that covers the salpingopharyngeus muscle.

Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products

Nasopharynx

ScienceDirect image

The nasopharynx is essentially the structures around the nasal cavity above the soft palate.

Explore on ScienceDirect opens in new tab/window

Complete Anatomy

The world's most advanced 3D anatomy platform

Complete Anatomy