The soft palate separates the nasopharynx from the oropharynx, which sits just below the soft palate. The nasopharynx remains open even when surrounding muscles flex so that the person can continue to carry on respiratory functions.he nasopharynx is 2 to 3 cm wide and 3 to 4 cm long and situated behind the nasal fossa inside the occipital bone. The nasopharynx is the space above the soft palate at the back of the nose and connects the nose to the mouth, which allows a person to breathe through the nose.