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nasopharynx

[ney-zoh-far-ingks] /ˌneɪ zoʊˈfær ɪŋks/
noun, plural nasopharynges
[ney-zoh-fuh-rin-jeez] /ˌneɪ zoʊ fəˈrɪn dʒiz/ (Show IPA), nasopharynxes. Anatomy.
1.
the part of the pharynx behind and above the soft palate, directly continuous with the nasal passages.
Compare oropharynx (def 2).
Origin of nasopharynx
1875-1880
First recorded in 1875-80; naso- + pharynx
Related forms
nasopharyngeal
[ney-zoh-fuh-rin-jee-uh l, -juh l, -far-uh n-jee-uh l] /ˌneɪ zoʊ fəˈrɪn dʒi əl, -dʒəl, -ˌfær ənˈdʒi əl/ (Show IPA), adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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British Dictionary definitions for nasopharynx

nasopharynx

/ˌneɪzəʊˈfærɪŋks/
noun (pl) -pharynges (-fəˈrɪndʒiːz), -pharynxes
1.
the part of the pharynx situated above and behind the soft palate
Derived Forms
nasopharyngeal (ˌneɪzəʊfəˈrɪndʒɪəl; -ˌfærɪnˈdʒɪəl) adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for nasopharynx
n.

1877, from naso-, comb. form of Latin nasus "nose" (see nose (n.)) + pharynx.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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nasopharynx in Medicine

nasopharynx na·so·phar·ynx (nā'zō-fār'ĭngks)
n.
The part of the pharynx above the soft palate that is continuous with the nasal passages. Also called epipharynx.

na'so·pha·ryn'ge·al (-fə-rĭn'jē-əl, -jəl, -fār'ən-jē'əl) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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