hypopharynx

noun

hy·​po·​phar·​ynx ˌhī-pō-ˈfer-iŋ(k)s How to pronounce hypopharynx (audio)
1
: an appendage or thickened fold on the floor of the mouth of many insects that resembles a tongue
2
: the laryngeal part of the pharynx extending from the hyoid bone to the lower margin of the cricoid cartilage

Examples of hypopharynx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The last stylet—the hypopharynx—drips mosquito saliva into the wound. John Sass, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2023 Nelson noted that an autopsy showed that Floyd's hypopharynx was not damaged, nor was his neck bruised. Tami Abdollah, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2021 Tobin had testified earlier for prosecutors that Chauvin's knee was at certain points placing pressure on the hypopharynx, which would affect Floyd's ability to breathe. Erin Donaghue, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2021 Tobin also rebutted Fowler's testimony that pressure on the neck would not have narrowed Floyd's hypopharynx, a small area at the lower part of the throat. Erin Donaghue, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2021 At the same time, Chauvin's knee on Floyd's neck was at various points putting pressure on Floyd's hypopharynx, a small area at the bottom part of the throat. Erin Donaghue, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2021 At one point, Tobin asked jurors to feel their own necks to locate the hypopharynx, spurring a brief interruption as the lawyers conferred with Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill. Tami Abdollah, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2021 On redirect questioning, Blackwell asked Tobin why no bruising was found on Floyd's neck or injuries to his hypopharynx. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypopharynx.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from hypo- hypo- + pharynx pharynx

Note: The term was introduced by the French zoologist Jules-César Savigny (1777-1851) in Mémoires sur les animaux sans vertèbres, 1. partie, 1. fascicule (Paris, 1816), "Théorie des organes de la bouche des animaux invertébrés et articulés," pp. 12-13.

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypopharynx was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near hypopharynx

Cite this Entry

“Hypopharynx.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypopharynx. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

hypopharynx

noun
hy·​po·​phar·​ynx -ˈfar-iŋ(k)s How to pronounce hypopharynx (audio)
plural hypopharynges -fə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz How to pronounce hypopharynx (audio) also hypopharynxes
: the laryngeal part of the pharynx extending from the hyoid bone to the lower margin of the cricoid cartilage

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