Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) Practice Exam

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What structure connects the throat to the trachea?

Bronchi
Pharynx
Esophagus
Larynx

The correct answer is: Pharynx

The structure that connects the throat to the trachea is the larynx. The larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is situated at the top of the trachea and serves multiple crucial functions, including serving as a passageway for air between the pharynx and the trachea. It is also involved in the production of sound and acts as a protective mechanism; it closes off the trachea during swallowing to prevent food or liquids from entering the airway. In this context, while the pharynx serves as a connector of the nasal passage and the oral cavity to both the esophagus (for food) and the larynx (for air), it does not directly connect to the trachea. Rather, the pharynx leads to the larynx, which in turn connects to the trachea. The bronchi are branches of the trachea that lead into the lungs, and the esophagus is a separate tube that carries food to the stomach and does not connect to air passages. Therefore, understanding the anatomical positioning and roles of these structures clarifies that the larynx is the correct answer for connecting the throat to the trachea.