gland position

[Rosie]

Can any of our learned contributors explain why the hypopharyngeal gland is so called when it appears to be located above the pharynx and not below it?

Rosie

[chris]

Could it be because each of its principal glandular canals connects to the suboral plate of the hypopharynx?
Then again, I can in no way be considered as learned.

[gavin]

Oh yes you can Chris. You've lost me there by the way.

Might it be because the name of the organ goes across very many animals, including the one writing this post, and the relative positions vary in different animals? Just guessing ...

[chris]

ok Gavin, if I've lost you I must have done a lousy translation.
Look at this diagram: http://www.encyclopedie-universelle....ne-schema.html

Although the gland source is above the pharynx, its outlets, if you follow the canal, are on its lower part .

[Rosie]

Both interesting theories. What do you use your gland for Gavin?

Rosie

[gavin]

See - I *am* a numpty.

We have a hypopharyngeal area, not a gland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypopharyngeal_cancer

G.