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).

Origin of nasopharynx

First recorded in 1875–80; naso- + pharynx

OTHER WORDS FROM nasopharynx

na·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

Words nearby nasopharynx

nasopalatine, nasopalatine nerve, nasopharyngeal leishmaniasis, nasopharyngitis, nasopharyngolaryngoscope, nasopharynx, nasoscope, nasosinusitis, nasotracheal tube, nass, nassau

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 forms of nasopharynx

nasopharyngeal (ˌneɪzəʊfəˈrɪndʒɪəl, -ˌfærɪnˈdʒɪəl), adjective

Medical 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

Other words from nasopharynx

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