The pharynx is a midline structure that extends from the skull base to the level of C6. It consists of three paired muscles (superior, middle and inferior constrictors) and three unpaired muscles (stylopharyngeus, salpingopharyngeus and palatopharyngeus). The venous drainage of the pharynx is via the pharyngeal plexus into the internal jugular vein.

The pharynx contains four layers (mucosa, submucosa, muscular and loose connective tissue).

The sensory supply to the pharynx is from the pharyngeal branch of the accessory nerve and also the vagus. The motor innervation of the pharynx is from the vagus nerve (except stylopharyngeus which is supplied by the accessory nerve).