The vagus nerve is another key part of the anatomy of the pharynx. It runs through the face, neck, and abdomen and transmits messages to and from the brain.

Isolated planarian pharynx: two tissue types in this digestive organ are shown. In red, cilia of the epithelial layer ensheathing the organ are labeled with an antibody against acetylated tubulin ...

The esophagus and pharynx have been opened to show the connections of the nasal cavity, oral cavity, larynx, and esophagus into the pharynx.