Buccopharynx

BUCCOPHARYNX 
  • It includes buccal cavity and pharynx
  • The buccopharynx has undergone modifications according to the feeding behaviour
  • These modifications are (i) Teeth (ii) Pharyngeal pad (iii) Gill rakers
  • Buccopharynx of fishes perform two important functions:
    • Respiration
    • Catching the food and conveying it to the oesophagus
  • In the carnivorous and predatory fishes (catfish, murrel and freshwater shark), the buccopharynx is armed with strong teeth in its various parts and even the gill rakers are tooth-like. The teeth in the anterior region of the cavity serve to prevent the escape of the prey from the mouth. The pharyngeal teeth prevent regurgitation of food and also serve as rasping organ, an anterior respiratory region , posterior part which is very narrow and masticatory in function
  • In omnivores, an intermediate condition is present. Pharyngeal pads are muscular pockets situated in the roof of pharynx.
  • In some fishes, pharyngeal pads are situated dorsally at the entrance of oesophagus (Herbivorous fishes). In Cyprinus carpio, this pad helps in removing excess water from ingesting food
  • In some fishes, pharyngeal valves are present. They help in placing the pieces of corals grinded by pharyngeal teeth and lubricate the food with mucus cells (Searid fishes).
Last modified: Sunday, 18 September 2011, 4:40 AM