throat / jaws
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throat
The part of the body that connects the oral cavity and nasal cavity with the esophagus and windpipe; the pharynx.
Der Arzt schaute dem Patienten mit einem Spatel in den Rachen.
The doctor looked into the patient's throat with a spatula.
The meaning can be recognized from the context. In a medical or everyday context involving people, it refers to the throat and mouth area. In connection with large animals or as a metaphor for danger, it means the wide-open mouth or an abyss.
Ich habe seit gestern ein Kratzen im Rachen.
I've had a scratchy throat since yesterday.
Pay attention to the case with the preposition 'in' (in/into). Movement is expressed with the accusative ('in den Rachen schauen' — to look into the throat), while a state or location uses the dative ('eine Entzündung im Rachen haben' — to have inflammation in the throat).
Die Ärztin leuchtete mit einer kleinen Lampe in meinen Rachen.
The doctor shone a small light into my throat.
This meaning is often used figuratively or dramatically to describe great danger. Typical examples are 'der Rachen des Löwen' (the jaws of the lion) or metaphorically 'der Rachen der Hölle' (the jaws of hell).
Die Gazelle entkam nur knapp dem Rachen des Löwen.
The gazelle only narrowly escaped the jaws of the lion.
The idiom 'etwas in den falschen Rachen bekommen' (to take something the wrong way) has a fixed structure. The 'etwas' (something) stands for a remark or action that is perceived as negative or insulting, even though it may not have been meant that way.
Mein Witz war nicht böse gemeint, ich hoffe, du hast das nicht in den falschen Rachen bekommen.
My joke wasn't meant to be mean; I hope you didn't take it the wrong way.
mouth
'der Mund' and 'der Rachen' both belong to the area involved in eating, breathing, and speaking. 'der Mund' is the visible opening in the face, so the front part. 'der Rachen' is farther back in the throat and connects the mouth and nose with the deeper air and food passages. With people, 'Rachen' is often used in medical situations, for example with pain or an examination. With large animals, 'Rachen' can also mean the wide-open mouth. There is a risk of confusion because the two are close to each other in everyday usage. If you mean the lips, teeth, or the opening at the front, 'Mund' fits. If it is farther back in the throat, 'Rachen' fits.
Seit gestern tut mir der Rachen weh, besonders beim Schlucken.
My throat has hurt since yesterday, especially when I swallow.
Er öffnet den Mund, damit die Ärztin seine Zähne ansehen kann.
He opens his mouth so the doctor can look at his teeth.