pharynx
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.
Other meanings
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.
Related words
- craniopharyngioma
- mesopharynx
- neopharynx
- palatopharynx
- pharyngal
- pharyngotomy
- rhinopharynx
- actinopharynx
- buccopharynx
- cytopharynx
- epipharynx
- glossopharynx
Word history
From Ancient Greek "φᾰ́ρῠγξ" (throat).
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “pharynx” on Wiktionary, by its contributors, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.