Throat/Pharynx/Larynx

The "throat" is the layman's term for the pharynx and larynx. The pharynx is the food passage and the larynx is the voice box but they are connected as evidenced by the fact that we put food into our throats and also inhale air through it to breathe. The pharynx and larynx work together to stop food and drink from going down into the lungs and to stop air going into the stomach. It is thus a separation area.

The pharynx part of the throat consists of a muscular tube consisting of 3 layers of muscles much like 3 polystyrene cups sitting one inside the other. Each layer or "cup" of muscles is open in front where they joins with the mouth, the back of the tongue and the larynx or voice box. The lowest part of the 3rd layer or "cup" is the cricopharyngeus which acts as a sphincter at the top of the gullet (oesophagus).