ABSTRACT
All of the described anatomic changes focus on the evolution from P. troglodytes to H. sapiens. The same anatomic changes are seen in the ontogenetic development of the newborn to adult human. The newborn larynx is high. It lies between C3 and C4. It is readily viewed transorally. The pharynx is short and wide in an anterior posterior dimension. Newborns are obligate nose breathers. Newborns can drink and breathe concurrently, which implies an intact epiglottic-soft palate lock-up. This ability is not seen in adults, albeit attempted at one time or another by most beer drinkers. The pharynx of newborns is relatively wide, as readily seen in physical examination. Crelin (13) writes that the base of the newborn and young H. sapiens skull is similar in proportion to that of the adult chimpanzee and other nonhominid primates. So, in fact, the human newborn upper respiratory and alimentary tracts are much like the same tracts of the adult P. troglodytes.
