Disorders of the Oropharynx

The oropharynx serves as a mechanical and immunological conduit from the oral cavity and nasopharynx to the aerodigestive tract. In the geriatric population, disorders of the oropharynx are associated with major complications in nutrition, respiratory illness, depression, increased length of hospital stays, and mortality. Dermatologic assessment of the head and neck extends beyond the identification of lesions whose primary site is the oropharynx and should encompass systemic diseases with secondary oropharyngeal involvement. First, this chapter reviews the clinical similarities and differences between benign, precancerous, and cancerous lesions of the oropharynx. Second, it discusses the variety of viral, bacterial, and fungal infectious agents and distinct symptomatology. Third, it presents pathophysiology and concomitant systemic findings of autoimmune diseases which can manifest in the oropharynx. This chapter aims to elucidate diverse presentations, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic considerations of disorders of the oropharynx in the geriatric context.