nasopharynx

[ney-zoh-far-ingks]

noun, plural na·so·pha·ryn·ges [ney-zoh-fuh-rin-jeez] /ˌneɪ zoʊ fəˈrɪn dʒiz/, na·so·phar·ynx·es. Anatomy.

the part of the pharynx behind and above the soft palate, directly continuous with the nasal passages.Compare oropharynx(def 2).

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. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for nasopharynx

nasopharynx

noun plural -pharynges (-fəˈrɪndʒiːz) or -pharynxes

the part of the pharynx situated above and behind the soft palate

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

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

nasopharynx in Medicine

nasopharynx

[nā′zō-făr′ĭngks]

n.

The part of the pharynx above the soft palate that is continuous with the nasal passages.epipharynx

Related formsna′so•pha•ryn′geal (-fə-rĭn′jəl, -făr′ən-jē′əl) adj.