Nasopharynx
/ˌneɪ.zəˈfɛr.ɪŋks/noun
The upper part of the pharynx located behind the nose.
Did you know?In ancient medicine, the nasopharynx was believed to be a gateway for spirits, influencing both health and communication with the divine.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nas-
“to breathe, to smell”
Latin
Latin
nasus
“nose”
Greek
Ancient Greek
pharynx
“throat, esophagus”
Old French
Old French
pharynges
“the passage leading from the mouth and nose to the esophagus”
Modern English
English
nasopharynx
“the anatomical term for the upper part of the pharynx behind the nose, combining elements of the nose and throat.”