Pharyngeal mucosa

The pharyngeal mucosa is the epithelial lining of the pharynx, a tube running from the base of the skull to the esophagus and larynx that serves the dual function of conveying food to the esophagus and air to the larynx and respiratory tract. The pharyngeal mucosa consists primarily of nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium (except in the nasopharynx, which contains ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium), overlying a connective tissue layer (lamina propria), and provides a protective barrier and lubricating mucus for the passage of food and air. It is not a molecular target for drugs, but rather a tissue subject to inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic disease processes. Therapeutic interventions are typically symptomatic or directed at underlying infections or malignancies, rather than specifically at the pharyngeal mucosa as a molecular entity.

Other names

Pharyngeal liningMucosa of the pharynx

Not applicable (see above)