THE PHARYNX AND ESOPHAGUS

orophrarynx

The —— is posterior to the oral cavity.

laryngopharynx

is continuous with the esophagus below; both of which are common passageways for food, fluids, and air.

esophagus

also known as gullet, runs from the pharynx through the diaphragm to the stomach.

mucosa

is the innermost layer, a moist membrane that lines the cavity, or lumen, of the organ; it consists primarily of a surface epithelium

lamina propria

what is the small amount of connective tissue that are found in mucosa.

submucosa

The —— is found just beneath the mucosa; it is a soft connective tissue layer containing blood vessels, nerve endings, lymph nodules, and lymphatic vessels.

muscularis externa

a is a muscle layer typically made up of an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscle cells.

serosa

is the outermost layer of the wall that consists of a single layer of flat serous fluid-producing cells, the visceral peritoneum.

submucosal nerve and myenteric nerve plexus

both of which are networks of nerve fibers that are actually part of the autonomic nervous system and help regulate the mobility and secretory activity of the GI tract organs.