pharyngeal

[ fuh-rin-jee-uhl, -juhl, far-in-jee-uhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated near the pharynx.
2. Phonetics. articulated with retraction of the root of the tongue and constriction of the pharynx.

noun

1. Phonetics. a pharyngeal speech sound.

pharyngeal

/ ˌfærɪnˈdʒiːəl; fəˈrɪŋɡəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated in or near the pharynx
2. phonetics pronounced or supplemented in pronunciation with an articulation in or constriction of the pharynx

noun

1. phonetics a pharyngeal speech sound

Other Words From

• postpha·ryngal adjective
• postpha·rynge·al adjective
• subpha·ryngal adjective
• subpha·rynge·al adjective
• subpha·rynge·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pharyngeal¹

1820–30; < New Latin pharynge ( us ) pharyngeal ( pharyng-, -eous ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pharyngeal¹

C19: from New Latin pharyngeus; see pharynx

Example Sentences

When a human being or another mammal snores, it's because air is flowing past the soft tissues in the pharyngeal airway, such as the tongue, soft palette and throat muscles.

From Salon

Ascidian-dwelling shrimp live inside the pharyngeal basket, a structure used to filter food from the water.

From Science Magazine

Their oral jaws are used to capture and crush prey while their pharyngeal jaws, which are positioned in their throats, are used to chew their food and move it from their mouths to the stomach.

From Seattle Times

According to the case study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the woman experienced five-day “left pharyngeal pain and irritation” after eating assorted sashimi.

From Fox News

“Just having some issues finding the demarcation of the pharyngeal muscles,” is the answer my lab partner gives.

From Scientific American