Does the pharynx separate the esophogus from the trachea? What's the purpose of the pharynx? If the epiglottis blocks food from going down the trachea then whats the function of the pharynx?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharynx

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Yes, the pharynx does separate the esophagus from the trachea. The purpose of the pharynx is to serve as a common pathway for both food and air. It plays a crucial role in the digestive and respiratory systems.

When we swallow, the epiglottis, which is a flap-like structure located at the base of the tongue, closes off the entrance to the trachea to prevent food or liquid from entering the windpipe. Its main function is to protect the respiratory system by directing food and liquids down the esophagus, which leads to the stomach. The epiglottis acts as a gatekeeper, ensuring that food travels to the stomach and air travels to the lungs.

The pharynx, on the other hand, works in coordination with the epiglottis. It receives the food or liquid from the mouth and helps propel it from the oral cavity to the esophagus. The pharynx acts as a muscular tube, contracting and relaxing to facilitate swallowing.

So, while the epiglottis prevents food from going down the trachea, the pharynx assists in the process of swallowing and directing the food or liquid towards the esophagus. It is an essential structure that allows for the proper functioning of both the digestive and respiratory systems.