The pharynx is also known as the throat, and it contains passageways for both food and air. When food is swallowed, a flap of cartilage called the epiglottis presses down to cover the opening to the air passageway.
The pharynx, or what we know as the "throat," is a dual duty body part. It has the job of both swallowing/ moving food to the esophagus. It is also the channel that allows air from your nasal/ oral cavities to flow down to your larynx, or voice box.
