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nasopharynx

[ ney-zoh-far-ingks ]
/ ˌneɪ zoʊˈfær ɪŋks /

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).

Nearby words

  1. nasopalatine,
  2. nasopalatine nerve,
  3. nasopharyngeal leishmaniasis,
  4. nasopharyngitis,
  5. nasopharyngolaryngoscope,
  6. nasoscope,
  7. nasosinusitis,
  8. nasotracheal tube,
  9. nass,
  10. nassau

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

/ (ˌneɪzəʊˈfærɪŋks) /

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

nasopharynx

n.

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

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for nasopharynx

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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.