Pharynx
/ˈfær.ɪŋks/noun
The throat passage behind the nose and mouth that leads to the esophagus and larynx.
Did you know?Pharynx comes from Ancient Greek phárunx, and the same root also gave Greek phármakon, a word for both medicine and poison—proof that ancient words often lived on the edge of cure and curse.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
φάρυγξ (phárunx)
“the throat, gullet, or pharynx”
Classical Greek
Greek
φάρυγξ (phárunx)
“the throat passage behind the mouth and nose”
Latin
Latin
pharynx
“the throat; the pharynx”
Middle English
English
farynge / pharynge
“the throat or gullet, used in learned medical writing”
Modern English
English
pharynx
“the muscular passage in the throat behind the nose and mouth”
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