pharynx

noun phar·ynx \ˈfa-riŋ(k)s\

medical : the part inside your mouth where the passages of the nose connect to your mouth and throat

plural pha·ryn·ges \fə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz\ also phar·ynx·es

Full Definition of PHARYNX

: the muscular tubular passage of the vertebrate digestive and respiratory tracts extending from the back of the nasal cavity and mouth to the esophagus — compare nasopharynx, oropharynx

: a differentiated part of the alimentary canal in some invertebrates that may be thickened and muscular, eversible and toothed, or adapted as a suctorial organ

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See pharynx defined for kids

Origin of PHARYNX

New Latin pharyng-, pharynx, from Greek, throat, pharynx; akin to Old Norse barki throat and probably to Latin ferire to strike — more at bore

First Known Use: 1677

PHARYNX Defined for Kids

pharynx

noun phar·ynx \ˈfer-iŋks\

plural pha·ryn·ges \fə-ˈrin-ˌjēz\ also phar·ynx·es

Definition of PHARYNX for Kids

: a tube extending from the back of the nasal passages and mouth to the esophagus that is the passage through which air passes to the larynx and food to the esophagus

Medical Dictionary

pharynx

noun phar·ynx \ˈfar-iŋ(k)s\

plural pha·ryn·ges \fə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz\ also phar·ynx·es

Medical Definition of PHARYNX

: the part of the digestive and respiratory tracts situated between the cavity of the mouth and the esophagus and in humans being a conical musculomembranous tube about four and a half inches (11.43 centimeters) long that is continuous above with the mouth and nasal passages, communicates through the eustachian tubes with the ears, and extends downward past the opening into the larynx to the lower border of the cricoid cartilage where it is continuous with the esophagus—see laryngopharynx, nasopharynx, oropharynx