Which portion of the pharynx is located above the soft palate?

The nasopharynx is the section of the pharynx that is situated above the soft palate. This area connects the nasal cavity to the pharynx and serves as an airway passage for air inhaled through the nose. It is also involved in the process of equalizing air pressure in the middle ear via the eustachian tubes, which open into the nasopharynx.

The oropharynx, which is located below the soft palate, serves as the passageway for both air and food, while the laryngopharynx is positioned below the oropharynx and extends down to the esophagus and larynx. The esophagus, however, is a separate structure that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach and is not part of the pharyngeal regions. Thus, the correct choice accurately identifies the anatomical location of the nasopharynx relative to the other regions of the pharynx.