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| Pharynx |
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| Pharynx is the portion of the alimentary canal after the mouth. It is a funnel-shaped passage common to air and food. |
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| The gut wall from the oesphagus to the rectum is mainly composed of two regions |
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| Muscular layer is a mucous membrane lined with epithelium showing numerous folds. |
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| Muscle coat has inner circular and outer longitudinal muscles |
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| Both these layers facilitate the movement of food along the alimentary canal. The mucous coat keeps the passage smooth and mixes the food with mucus while the muscular layer by its periodic contraction and expansion moves the food along the canal. This movement is called peristalsis. |
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| Peristalsis |
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| Oesophagus |
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| Pharynx along the alimentary canal leads to a narrow, tubular, muscular organ called the oesophagus. |
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