The pharynx is a conduit between the nasal cavity/oral cavity and the esophagus. The pharynx represents the upper portion of the digestive tract and is lined with squamous epithelium. The pharynx is divided into three primary segments: the Nasopharynx, Oropharynx and the Hypopharynx. Cancers that occur within each of these anatomic spaces is staged differently according to the AJCC with specific treatment implications.

Tonsils

There are three sets of tonsillar tissue along the phaynx: The Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) are located within the midline nasopharynx. The palatine (faucial) tonsils are located on either side of the soft palate. The lingual tonsils are found along the base of tongue, anterior to the valeculla.