Which of the following statements about the pharynx is INCORRECT?

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The auditory tube opens into the lateral wall of the nasopharynx.The soft palate marks the boundary between the nasopharynx and oropharynx.The pharynx continues as the esophagus at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra.The gag reflex's sensory pathway is the tenth cranial nerve, and the motor pathway is the ninth cranial nerve.

Explanation

Statements A, B, and C correctly describe the anatomy of the pharynx. However, statement D is incorrect because the afferent (sensory) limb of the gag reflex is mediated by the ninth cranial nerve (glossopharyngeal), while the efferent (motor) limb is carried by the tenth cranial nerve (vagus).