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nasopharynx

[ney-zoh-far-ingks]
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noun, plural na·so·pha·ryn·ges [ney-zoh-fuh-rin-jeez] /ˌneɪ zoʊ fəˈrɪn dʒiz/, na·so·phar·ynx·es. Anatomy.
  1. the part of the pharynx behind and above the soft palate, directly continuous with the nasal passages.Compare oropharynx(def 2).
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Origin of nasopharynx

First recorded in 1875–80; naso- + pharynx
Related formsna·so·pha·ryn·ge·al [ney-zoh-fuh-rin-jee-uh l, -juh l, -far-uh n-jee-uh l] /ˌneɪ zoʊ fəˈrɪn dʒi əl, -dʒəl, -ˌfær ənˈdʒi əl/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for nasopharynx

nasopharynx

noun plural -pharynges (-fəˈrɪndʒiːz) or -pharynxes
  1. the part of the pharynx situated above and behind the soft palate
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Derived Formsnasopharyngeal (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

Word Origin and History for nasopharynx

n.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
nasopharynx in Medicine

nasopharynx

(nā′zō-făr′ĭngks)
n.
  1. The part of the pharynx above the soft palate that is continuous with the nasal passages.epipharynx
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Related formsna′so•pha•ryn′geal (-fə-rĭn′jəl, -făr′ən-jē′əl) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.