oropharynx

[ awr-oh-far-ingks, ohr- ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural o·ro·pha·ryn·ges [awr-oh-f, uh, -, rin, -jeez, ohr-], o·ro·phar·ynx·es.

1. the part of the pharynx between the soft palate and the upper edge of the epiglottis.
2. the pharynx as distinguished from the nasopharynx and laryngeal pharynx.

Other Words From

• o·ro·pha·ryn·ge·al [awr-oh-f, uh, -, rin, -jee-, uh, l, -far-in-, jee, -, uh, l, ohr-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oropharynx¹

First recorded in 1885–90; oro- ² + pharynx