The pharynx is a region that receives air from the nasal cavities and food from the mouth.The soft palate has a projection called the uvula, which projects into the pharynx and
which people often confuse with the tonsils.Usually during swallowing, the soft palatemoves back to close off the nasopharynx, and the tracheamoves up under the epiglottis to cover the glottis.The tonsils,however, are embedded in the mucous membrane of thepharynix.From the mouth, foodstompasses through the pharynx and esophagus to thach, small intestine, and large intestine.(windpipe) is anterior to (in front of) the esophagus, a longmuscular tube that takes food to the stomach.5.3), is a reflex-achion performed automatically, without consciousthought.