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| Fauces | |
|---|---|
 A view of the fauces through the mouth cavity. The cheeks have been slit transversely and the tongue pulled forward. (Fauces labelled as Isthmus faucium at center right.) | |
 Pharynx | |
| Details | |
| System | lymphoid system |
| Artery | faucial artery |
| Vein | faucial vein |
| Nerve | brachial plexus |
| Lymph | cervical nodes |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | fauces |
| TA98 | A05.2.01.002 |
| TA2 | 2846 |
| FMA | 55006 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Thefauces (also termed theisthmus of fauces ororopharyngeal isthmus) is the opening at the back of themouth into thethroat.[1] It is a narrow passage between thevelum and the base of thetongue.[2]
The fauces is a part of theoropharynx directly behind theoral cavity as a subdivision, bounded superiorly by thesoft palate, laterally by thepalatoglossal andpalatopharyngeal arches, and inferiorly by thetongue. The arches form thepillars of the fauces (faucial pillars,tonsillar pillars,palatine arches). The anterior (front) pillar is the palatoglossal arch formed of thepalatoglossus muscle. The posterior (back) pillar is the palatopharyngeal arch formed of thepalatopharyngeus muscle. Between these two arches on the lateral walls of the oropharynx is thetonsillar fossa which is the location of thepalatine tonsil.[3]
Each arch runs downwards, laterally and forwards, from the soft palate to the side of the tongue. The approximation of the arches due to the contraction of the palatoglossal muscles constricts the fauces, and is essential toswallowing.
Inflammation of the fauces, known asfaucitis, is seen in animals. In cats, faucitis is usually a secondary disease togingivitis but can be a primary disease. In this species faucitis is usually caused bybacterial andviral infections althoughfood allergies need to be excluded in any diagnosis. Treatment issymptomatic and includesbroad-spectrum antibiotics and in severe cases where cats are inappetant,corticosteroids (often given asdepot forms, e.g.depomedrol) orchemotherapy (e.g.chlorambucil).
