ABSTRACT
The oropharynx is dorsal to the oral cavity, extending cranially from the palate to the level of the hyoid bone. Its anterior boundaries include the tongue base, vallecula and lingual surface of the epiglottis. Iatrogenic injury to the pharyngeal plexus is rare and is only usually seen in aggressive or salvage resections in the oropharynx, as a consequence of retrophayngeal nodal clearance or a late consequence of radiation therapy. The oropharynx receives blood supply from branches of the external carotid artery. The main functions of the oropharynx include being a component of the airway and deglutition. In addition, it acts as a valve to prevent nasopharyngeal regurgitation and assists with speech articulation as a result of the nasopharyngeal valve. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for staging the oropharynx and neck. Staging combines radiological, endoscopic and clinical findings according to the Union for International Cancer Control tumour, node, metastasis classification.
