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Glite Dictionary
oropharynx

oropharynx

1 9.0
The part of the throat at the back of the mouth behind the tongue and above the voice box
  • noun
  • /ˌɔrəˈfɛrɪŋks/
  • Specialized
: orofaringe
  • The doctor examined the patient's oropharynx to check for any signs of infection.
  • oral cavity and oropharynx
  • oropharynx and hypopharynx
  • nasopharynx and oropharynx

Examples

  • Adequate access was gained through the oral cavity and oropharynx to allow for the performance of multiple tasks.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The tongue was mobile, the tongue base was viable, and there was no involvement of the oropharynx.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Photograph shows the oropharynx prior to RF-VTR.

    Academic text (2004)

  • B: The needle is advanced into the oropharynx under fiberoptic monitoring.

    Academic text (2004)

  • There was no active bleeding of the nasopharynx or oropharynx.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Each bird's oropharynx and cloaca were swabbed every second day for 10 days.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Finally, this instrument is extremely awkward to use in the oral cavity and oropharynx.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The oropharynx was normal, but the right buccal mucosa bulged and was crepitant.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Computed tomography revealed a large cystic mass extending from the oropharynx to the level of the mediastinum.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Her uvula was swollen to twice its normal size, and the posterior oropharynx was diffusely edematous bilaterally.

    Academic text (1995)

Surface Forms

oropharynx singular
oropharynges plural

Morphology

oropharynx = pharynx (semi-transparent) = oro + pharynx

Formally composed of the combining form 'oro-' (mouth) and 'pharynx', so the morphological logic is clear, but 'oro-' and 'pharynx' are specialised medical terms unfamiliar to most learners.

Etymology

The word oropharynx comes from two parts: oro- meaning 'mouth', the same root you see in oral, and pharynx meaning 'throat'. So the oropharynx is the part of the throat that lies at the back of the mouth.