pharynx

[ far-ingks ]
See synonyms for pharynx on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural pha·ryn·ges [fuh-rin-jeez], /fəˈrɪn dʒiz/, phar·ynx·es.Anatomy.
  1. the tube or cavity, with its surrounding membrane and muscles, that connects the mouth and nasal passages with the esophagus.

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Origin of pharynx

1
1685–95; <New Latin <Greek phárynx throat, akin to pháranx gulf, chasm

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British Dictionary definitions for pharynx

pharynx

/ (ˈfærɪŋks) /


nounplural pharynges (fæˈrɪndʒiːz) or pharynxes
  1. the part of the alimentary canal between the mouth and the oesophagus: Compare nasopharynx Related adjective: pharyngeal

Origin of pharynx

1
C17: via New Latin from Greek pharunx throat; related to Greek pharanx chasm

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

Scientific definitions for pharynx

pharynx

[ fărĭngks ]


Plural pharynges (fə-rĭnjēz) pharynxes
  1. The passage that leads from the cavities of the nose and mouth to the larynx (voice box) and esophagus. Air passes through the pharynx on the way to the lungs, and food enters the esophagus from the pharynx.

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