Nasopharynx. The structure of the nasopharynx. Endoscopy examination

Diseases, one way or another associated with the nasopharynx, very much. A common runny nose or cough is no exception, but there are more serious diseases. To understand them and their nature, you need to know exactly how the nasopharynx is arranged and what specifically affects its health.

In medicine, the anatomy of the nasopharynx is considered in the anatomy section of the pharynx. At the same time, the pharynx represents both the upper part of the respiratory tract and the beginning of the digestive tract.

The throat itself is divided into three parts: the upper part of the pharynx (the nasopharynx, or nasal part of it), the middle part of the pharynx (oropharynx, or oral part), the lower part of the pharynx (larynx, or throat part).

The structure of the nasopharynx

The nasopharynx is a small cavity. It connects through the internal holes (khoans) with the nasal cavity. The pharynx, which is also called the upper wall of the pharynx, is in contact with the sphenoid bone and the occipital bone (part of it). The posterior wall of the pharynx borders on the first and second vertebrae of the neck. The lower nasopharynx smoothly passes into the mouth part of the pharynx.

The structure of the nasopharynx includes the side walls, on which there are holes of auditory or, as they are also called, Eustachian tubes. These holes are called pharyngeal. They are surrounded by a roller of cartilaginous tissue from above and below. Through the pharyngeal openings, the nasal part is connected to the left drum cavity and to the right drum cavity. On the side walls and the arch of the pharynx are tonsils. They are called the pharyngeal tonsil and the tubal tonsils, which are a cluster of lymphoid tissue.

When there is a need to contact a medical institution about the disease of the ENT organs, then the fact that the structure of the nasopharynx is quite complicated, the use of only the nasal mirror (when examined by the patient's doctor) is inadequate. Therefore, additional methods of examination are used, in particular, endoscopy of the nasopharynx.

Advantages of endoscopic examination of the nasopharynx compared with other methods:

• The doctor has the opportunity to personally see and assess the condition of the nasopharynx (the presence of the inflammatory process and the degree of its severity);
• Absence of irradiation (which is important for both the patient and the doctor);
• The ability to monitor the treatment process;
• It is acceptable to display the results of the study on a computer monitor and write it to a removable medium.

This type of examination has no contraindications.

Prior to the examination, the patient is preliminarily prepared for analgesia. For this, a solution is injected, the main component of which is lidocaine in a certain concentration.

The examination is carried out using flexible endoscopes (fibroscope). Their diameters are different, which makes it possible to diagnose even children of an early age. During the study, the patient either sits or lies at the doctor's discretion.

This type of endoscopy is divided into three main stages.

At the first stage, a detailed examination of the nasal cavity is performed.

At the second stage, when the fibroscope moves to the inner holes (khoan), it becomes possible to inspect the nasopharynx. Explore for this examination: holes in the auditory tubes (their mouths), cartilaginous ridges, tubal tonsils, pharyngeal tonsil, the condition of the mucous membranes.

At the third stage, the fibroscope is pulled back. In this case, the middle and posterior nasal passages are examined.

The nasopharynx is the most important part of the body, and therefore it is necessary to monitor her health. In case of need, consultation and examination should be addressed only to professionals who will be able to carry out all manipulations at the proper level. The structure of the nasopharynx is a complex system, however, its examination usually does not bring any complications and unpleasant sensations.