The pharynx is basically the region that connects our oil cavity to the esophagus as well as to our trachea and larynx. Basically the windpipe that is not shown in this diagram that connects to our lungs. Now within the pharynx we have this cartilage known as epiglottis. And what the epiglottis basically does is it prevents the food products from actually going into our windpipe. If the food products were to go into the windpipe we would basically choke. So the pharynx connects the oral cavity and the nasal cavity to the esophagus.