The pharyngeal cavity mostly refers to the oropharynx, the semi-tubular area on either side of the base of the tongue and behind the tongue that can be seen when the tongue is pressed with the mouth open.
The pharynx includes the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx. The pharyngeal cavity is often referred to as the oropharynx, which extends from the free edge of the soft palate down to the nasopharynx. This area extends below the free edge of the soft palate and above the nasopharynx. Forward through the uvula, the free edge of the soft palate bilateral palatoglossal arches and the root of the tongue to form a ring structure and oral cavity. The posterior wall is flat against the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae, with scattered lymphoid tissue under the mucosa.
The lateral walls of the pharyngeal cavity are divided by the soft palate downward into two palatine arches: the palatoglossal arches are anterior and continue to the root of the tongue; the palatopharyngeal arches are posterior and extend below the lateral pharyngeal wall, and there are longitudinal strips of lymphoid tissue, called the lateral pharyngeal cords, posterior to the palatopharyngeal arches on each side. Between the two palatopharyngeal arches naturally forms a triangular space known as the tonsil fossa, which contains the palatine tonsils.
The term pharyngitis refers to inflammation of the mucosa, submucosa, and lymphoid tissues in this area.