SECT. I43.] OF THE PHARYNX. 313 



and is similar in nature to that in the nose and larynx, of which a 

 description will be found in the account given of their organs. 

 In this upper or respiratory section of the pharynx the mucous 

 membrane is also redder, thicker, and richer in glands, but other- 

 wise of much the same structure as below, except that here no 

 papillae are met with, which, however, even in some parts of the 

 lower section, are but little developed and sparingly present, or 

 even wanting altogether. Compared with that of the oral cavity, 

 the pharyngeal mucous membrane has, as I find, both more 

 abundant and stronger elastic tissue, which, in the deeper layers, 

 forms very dense and continuous elastic coats. 



The pharynx contains two kinds of glands : ordinary racemose 

 mucous glands (see above, § 133), and follicular glands. The 

 former, \'" to \'" in size, and with conspicuous openings, are met 

 with especially in the upper part of the pharynx, where upon the 

 posterior Avail, in the neighbourhood of the phar}aigeal orifices of 

 the Eustachian tubes, and upon the posterior surface of the velum, 

 they form a continuous layer ; further downwards, they decrease 

 in numbers towards the oesophagus. The upper vaulted part of 

 the pharynx presents both simple and compound follicular glands 

 analogous to the tonsils. I find constantly at the part where the 

 mucous membrane is firmly attached to the base of the cranium, 

 a collection of glands, 1" to 4'" thick, and extending from the one 

 Eustachian tube to the other, which, except that they are smaller, 

 agree in all essential points of structure with the tonsils (see 

 § 134). Besides this mass of glands, the largest of which are 

 found in the middle of the roof of the pharynx, and in the recess 

 behind the opening of the Eustachian tubes, — and which, in old 

 people, frequently present widened cavities filled with purulent 

 matter, whilst in children and new-born infants they are mostly 

 hyperaemic like the tonsils, — there occur around and upon the 

 openings of the Eustachian tubes, also towards the posterior 

 openings of the nares, upon the posterior surface of the velum, 

 and the lateral walls of the pharynx, as far as the level of the 

 epiglottis, smaller and larger follicles in greater or less number, 

 whose size is too great to be openings of mucous glands, and which, 

 probably, have the same structure as the simple follicles of the 

 root of the tongue, and receive the excretory ducts of the mucous 

 glands. 



The mucous membrane of the pharynx is rich in blood-vessels 

 and lymphatics. The former form, superficially, a rather elongated 

 mesh-work, but also ascend into the rudimentary papillae in short 



