Throat Problems | Pharyngeal Disorders&nbsp;| MedlinePlus

P Your throat is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx. The technical name for your throat is the pharynx.
P Throat problems are common. You've probably had a sore throat. The cause is usually a viral infection, but other causes include allergies, infection with strep bacteria or the leaking of stomach acids back up into the esophagus, called GERD.
P Other problems that affect the throat include
- Tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils
- Cancer
- Croup - inflammation, usually in small children, which causes a barking cough
- Laryngitis - swelling of the voice box, which can cause a hoarse voice or loss of voice
P Most throat problems are minor and go away on their own. Treatments, when needed, depend on the problem.

