: relating to or located or produced in the region of the pharynx

Examples of pharyngeal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pneumonic plague can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and bloody or watery mucus, and pharyngeal plague can cause sore throat. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Since then researchers have discovered that the Epstein-Barr virus, which is known to cause cancers such as nasal pharyngeal cancers and some forms of lymphoma, is also linked to some stomach cancers and some rarer lymphomas, Clifford says. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026 As a central nervous system depressant, alcohol suppresses the already-fragile neuromuscular tone of the pharyngeal dilators, pushing a vulnerable airway closer to collapse. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 The posterior pharyngeal muscles at the back of the throat are innervated by the vagus nerve. — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pharyngeal

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pharyngeus "of the pharynx" (from Medieval Latin pharyng-, pharynx pharynx + Latin -eus -eous) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharyngeal was in 1754

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pharyngeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharyngeal. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

: relating to, located in, or produced in the region of the pharynx

Medical Definition

1
: relating to or located in the region of the pharynx
2
a
: innervating the pharynx especially by contributing to the formation of the pharyngeal plexus
the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve
b
: supplying or draining the pharynx
the pharyngeal branch of the maxillary artery
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