oropharynx

noun

oro·​phar·​ynx ˌȯr-ə-ˈfer-iŋ(k)s 

-ˈfa-riŋ(k)s

: the part of the pharynx that is below the soft palate and above the epiglottis and is continuous with the mouth

Examples of oropharynx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What to know about tongue cancer Tongue cancer can affect the front of the tongue (oral cavity) or the base/back of the tongue (oropharynx), according to the National Cancer Institute. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 Dec. 2025

The oropharynx includes parts of the tongue, the back part of the roof of the mouth, and the tonsils, all of which help with breathing, eating, swallowing, and talking. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025

Those sensors detect the subtle vibrations that are transmitted to the extrinsic laryngeal muscles (in the neck) from other anatomical locations including the velum, oropharynx, tongue, and epiglottis. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2025

Weight gain can result in excessive tissue in the oropharynx that causes snoring. —Alyssa Jung, Good Housekeeping, 31 July 2023

Mehanna attributed the spike to a rise in a type of throat cancer called oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the tonsils and other structures in the back of the throat that make up the oropharynx. —Korin Miller, Health, 8 June 2023

All of the seven leeches were removed smoothly and one leech migrated to the oropharynx during the operation. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2015

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

oropharynx

noun

oro·​phar·​ynx -ˈfar-iŋ(k)s 

plural oropharynges -fə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz  also oropharynxes

: the part of the pharynx that is below the soft palate and above the epiglottis and is continuous with the mouth