The common passage for food and air is

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Entry Points:**
- Food enters the body through the mouth (oral cavity).
- Air enters the body through the nose (nasal cavity).

2. **Common Passage:**
- Both food and air pass through a common area after entering the body. This area is known as the pharynx.

3. **Function of the Pharynx:**
- The pharynx serves as a passageway for both food and air. It is located at the back of the mouth and connects the oral cavity and nasal cavity to the esophagus (food pipe) and larynx (windpipe).

4. **Pathway After the Pharynx:**
- After passing through the pharynx, food moves down to the esophagus, while air moves down to the larynx.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the common passage for food and air is the **pharynx**.

**Final Answer:**
The common passage for food and air is the **pharynx**.

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