Pharyngeal raphe

Looks like

A thin fibrous seam running down the middle of the back wall of the throat, hanging from the base of the skull.

What it does

Gives the throat muscles from both sides a midline strip to attach to and pull against.

Keeping it well

Not a site of disease by itself; neck pain with fever and difficulty swallowing can mean an infection behind the throat and needs urgent care.

Related conditions

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Common cold
• Diphtheria
• Hand, foot and mouth disease
• Influenza
• Lichen planus
• Mouth ulcers (aphthous stomatitis)
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Scarlet fever
• Stevens–Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis