Hard palate. This separates the nose from the mouth.
Soft palate. The back of the roof of the mouth.
Epiglottis. This keeps food and liquids out of the trachea when you swallow.
Larynx (voice box). This makes sound used for speaking.
Eustachian tube. The tube that connects the throat to the ear.
Nasopharynx. The area at the top of the throat behind the nose.
Oropharynx. The area at the middle of the throat behind the mouth.
Hypopharynx. The area at the lower part of the throat.
Esophagus. The tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach.
Trachea. The tube that carries air between the throat and the lungs.
Lymph nodes. Bean-shaped organs that help the body fight infections.
Online Medical Reviewer: Ashutosh Kacker MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN CCRC
Online Medical Reviewer: John Hanrahan MD
Date Last Reviewed: 08/01/2023
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Need Help? We're Here for You
Our Member Services team is here to help you understand your benefits, find care, or resolve concerns.
1-800-510-9132
Call NC Quitline
Need support to quit smoking, vaping, or to quit other nicotine products? You can receive support including medicines free of charge:
1-800-784-8669
Schedule Transportation
Need transportation to a doctor's office, pharmacy, or other covered healthcare service? Contact us to arrange your ride.
1-800-510-9132
Provider Directory
Need to find a provider like a Primary Care Physician, Specialist, OB/GYN, or a Psychiatrist?
Provider DirectoryRelated Articles
The Middle Ear
The middle ear is an air-filled chamber that lies behind the eardrum. Pressure in the middle ear changes to match air pressure outside of the eardrum. When inside and outside pressures are balanced, the eardrum is flexible and normal hearing is more likely. Problems happen when air pressure in the middle ear drops. This is often due to a block in the eustachian (u-STA-shun) tube, the narrow channel connecting the ear with the back of the throat.
Anatomy of the Ear
This helpful article and diagram explain how all the parts of the ear work together.
Anatomy of the Inner Ear
A helpful guide to the inner ear, complete with a diagram.
Understanding Nasal Anatomy: Outside View
Why does your nose look the way it does? And what goes on inside a nose to let a person breathe easily? Learning the anatomy of the nose can help you better understand the answers to these questions.
