pharynx meaning: definition, etymology

pharynx

noun

UK /ˈfa.ɹɪŋks/ · US /ˈfɛɹ.ɪŋks/

Etymology Borrowing from New Latin pharynx, from Ancient Greek φᾰ́ρῠγξ (phắrŭnx, “throat”).

Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences The part of the alimentary canal and respiratory tract that extends from the back of the mouth and nasal cavity to the larynx and esophagus.

Biology, Natural sciences, Zoology, Zootomy The part of the alimentary canal immediately behind the mouth in invertebrates that may be thickened and muscular, eversible and toothed, or adapted as a suctorial organ.

Derived terms: actinopharynx, buccopharynx, craniopharyngioma, cytopharynx, epipharynx, glossopharynx, hypopharynx, laryngopharynx, mesopharynx, nasopharynx, neopharynx, oropharynx, palatopharynx, pharyngal, pharyngotomy, retropharynx, rhinopharynx, velopharynx
Related terms: pharyngeal, pharyngo-, pharyng-, larynx