nasopharyngeal

adjective

na·​so·​pha·​ryn·​geal ˌnā-zō-fə-ˈrin-j(ē-)əl 

-ˌfer-ən-ˈjē-əl,

-ˌfa-rən- 

: of, relating to, or affecting the nose and pharynx or the nasopharynx

Examples of nasopharyngeal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If a specimen is taken from the nose, the method of testing is referred to as a nasopharyngeal swab. —Sherry Christiansen Updated, Verywell Health, 3 Aug. 2023

Scientists eventually found more links between the virus and other cancers: nasopharyngeal cancer, stomach cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, ​​and other forms of lymphoma. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2022

UT Health San Antonio set up a makeshift testing site in UTSA’s athletic training room, Bellamy said, bringing a staff of four to six people twice weekly for nasopharyngeal PCR testing. —Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Feb. 2021

These nasopharyngeal electrodes are able to get very close to the brain, and are sometimes used in the diagnosis of epilepsy. —Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

nasopharyngeal

adjective

na·​so·​pha·​ryn·​geal ˌnā-zō-fə-ˈrin-j(ē-)əl  -ˌfar-ən-ˈjē-əl 

: of, relating to, or affecting the nose and pharynx or the nasopharynx

nasopharyngeal cancer

nasopharyngeal secretions