pharynx
/'færiɳks/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The passage to the stomach and lungs: The pharynx is the membranous cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting them to the esophagus and larynx. It serves as a common pathway for both air and food.
- Anatomical location: It is situated in the front part of the neck, extending from the base of the skull to the level of the sixth cervical vertebra, below the chin and above the collarbone.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Food and air both pass through the pharynx.
- During swallowing, the epiglottis closes over the larynx to direct food into the esophagus and prevent it from entering the pharynx.
- A sore throat is often an inflammation of the pharynx.
Advanced Usage
- Medical/Anatomical Context: The term is primarily used in technical, medical, or biological contexts.
- The examination revealed a lesion in the nasopharynx, the upper part of the pharynx.
- "Pharyngeal" (adjective): Relating to the pharynx.
- The patient experienced pharyngeal pain.
Variants and Related Words
- Pharyngeal (adj): Pertaining to the pharynx.
- Pharyngeal muscles are involved in swallowing.
- Nasopharynx (n): The upper part of the pharynx, connecting to the nasal cavity.
- Oropharynx (n): The middle part of the pharynx, behind the oral cavity.
- Laryngopharynx (n): The lower part of the pharynx, connecting to the larynx and esophagus.
Synonyms
- Throat: A common, less precise synonym for the upper part of the alimentary and respiratory tracts, which includes the pharynx.
- Gullet: A colloquial term often referring to the esophagus but sometimes used loosely for the throat.
Related Phrases (Anatomical/Descriptive)
- Pharyngeal reflex: The gag reflex, triggered by stimulation of the pharynx.
- Pharyngeal tonsils: Adenoids; lymphoid tissue located in the nasopharynx.
Noun
- the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone