___________ acts as a common passage for food and air.MouthPharynxTracheaLarynx

Analyzing the Question

The question is asking about which anatomical structure serves as a shared pathway for both food and air.

Relevant Concepts

In human anatomy, several structures play specific roles in the digestive and respiratory systems. The mouth, pharynx, trachea, and larynx are all parts of these systems.

1. Mouth: The entry point for food, but primarily used for ingestion and initial digestion, not directly for air passage.
2. Pharynx: A muscular tube that serves as a passageway for both food (to the esophagus) and air (to the larynx), making it a common pathway for both systems.
3. Trachea: Primarily a respiratory structure that conducts air to the lungs; it does not serve to pass food.
4. Larynx: Also involved in the respiratory system, it is primarily a voice box and does not facilitate passage for food.

Conclusion

The structure that acts as a common passage for both food and air is the pharynx.

Final Answer

Pharynx acts as a common passage for food and air.