Throat
Health
The Human
Throat
Throat health and related
conditions
There's an easy definition for the throat. It's
the muscular tube, which is approximately five inches long,
connecting the mouth to the esophagus and windpipe. Air and
food both pass through it on the way to the lungs and the stomach. It begins behind the nose and ends
in the neck. The voice box sits just below the throat.
The technical name for throat is pharynx.
Related disorders are called pharyngeal disorders.
Nearly everyone has had a sore throat, which is
usually caused by a viral infection. But it can also be caused
by allergies or streptococcus bacteria (commonly known as
strep).
A sore throat can also result when acid backs
up from the stomach into the esophagus. This condition is known
as gastric reflux or acid reflux.
Other throat problems include:
Tonsillitis, which is an infection of the
tonsils which may result from a number of causes.
Pharyngitis, which is inflammation of the
pharynx. It occurs in the back of the throat and can be caused
by viruses and bacteria.
Throat cancer, which occurs when cancerous
tumors develop in the throat or voice box.
With the exception of throat cancer, most
throat problems are minor. Theough they can be uncomfortable,
they are not serious and usuallly go away on their own in a few
days. Certain treatments are available, and they depend on the
nature of the problem.
Related articles: Sore Throat, Strep Throat, Throat Cancer.
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