nasopharynx

[ ney-zoh-far-ingks ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural na·so·pha·ryn·ges [ney-zoh-f, uh, -, rin, -jeez], na·so·phar·ynx·es.

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

nasopharynx

/ ˌneɪzəʊˈfærɪŋks; -ˌfærɪnˈdʒɪəl; ˌneɪzəʊfəˈrɪndʒɪəl /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• nasopharyngeal, adjective

Other Words From

• na·so·pha·ryn·ge·al [ney-zoh-f, uh, -, rin, -jee-, uh, l, -j, uh, l, -far-, uh, n-, jee, -, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nasopharynx¹

First recorded in 1875–80; naso- + pharynx