Question

Describe the function of the nasal and oral pharynx for breathing.

Answer 1

Nasal cavities are chambers of the internal nose that create openings to the outside world. We breathe through the nostrils and the inhaled air warmed as it moves further into the nasal cavities. The nasal conchae, protrudes and form spaces through which the air passes. The conchae turns the air around to allow the air time to humidify, warm, and be cleaned before it enters the lungs.

The pharynx is often referred to as throat. During breathing, it conducts air between the larynx and trachea (windpipe) and the nasal and the oral cavities.

Answer 2

The nasal cavity is a hollow space within the nose and skull that is lined with hairs and mucus membrane. The function of the nasal cavity is to warm, moisturize, and filter air entering the body before it reaches the lungs. The pharynx on the other hand referred to as the throat is part of both the digestive and respiratory systems. For the digestive system, its muscular walls function in the process of swallowing, and it serves as a pathway for the movement of food from the mouth to the esophagus.