Talk:Hypopharynx

Proposed title reversion to Hypopharynx
Speaking as a practicing otolaryngologist, I must point out that the term "laryngopharynx" is by far the less commonly used name for this anatomic structure, as compared to "hypopharynx". The word "hypopharynx" is a word used by otolaryngologists many times per day, every day; whereas the term "laryngopharynx", if it is used at all, is more often used to to refer to the two adjacent structures taken together -- the larynx and the pharynx. If the adjective form of the word is used, "laryngopharyngeal", it is most often used when a disease or process affects both the larynx and the pharynx, with a prime example being Laryngopharyngeal reflux. The use of the term laryngopharynx to speak specifically of the structure which is more commonly called the hypopharynx, is actually quite rare in the US. I believe that "hypopharynx" is more common than "laryngopharynx" in Britain as well, based on a quick search of some prominent British journals, although I would be happy to hear a correction if that is not true. The original renaming of this article from Hypopharynx to Laryngopharynx was based on the purported primacy of the latter term in the Terminologia Anatomica, however the English nomenclature in the TA puts these two terms on equal footing. I don't think that simply because the preferred Latin term in the TA for A05.3.01.023 is Pars laryngea pharyngis, that we should use the far less common English term -- especially since there is a possibility of the word being slightly misinterpreted based on the more common English usage. In view of the above, unless there is a more compelling argument presented here, I will be reverting the name to Hypopharynx in a couple of weeks. Plamoa (talk) 19:57, 22 May 2010 (UTC)

Should this article be merged into Human pharynx?
I believe it should, as it remains a stub after more than 5 years since its creation. Seems a bit excessive to me to have three stubs (nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx) in addition to one Start-class article (human pharynx), when we could have one C-class article describing the human pharynx, with a section for each of the above.

I tried boldly attempting this merger a couple of days ago but was reverted, so I assume at least one other editor disagrees with this proposal. Anyone else have an opinion? Respectfully, DiverDave (talk) 19:07, 26 July 2010 (UTC)


 * ✅ Since no one else has contributed to this discussion in years or expressed their disapproval, I will merge the articles. --Iamozy (talk) 17:26, 4 February 2014 (UTC)