Oropharynx

Looks like

The middle part of the throat behind the mouth, including the tonsils and base of tongue.

What it does

Shared passage for food and air.

Keeping it well

HPV vaccine protects against many cancers here; a sore throat lasting over three weeks or a neck lump needs checking. Drooling and inability to swallow is urgent.

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
• Tonsillitis & quinsy