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

She was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a rare type of head and neck cancer that starts in the upper part of the throat behind the nose and near the base of the skull, according to the American Cancer Society. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

At the physician's office, the CDC states that physicians will collect a serum sample and a throat swab (or nasopharyngeal swab) from patients suspected of measles at first contact. — Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 6 Feb. 2026

This involves nasopharyngeal swabs—painful, or at least not pleasant. — Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025

Studies have shown that in lung and nasopharyngeal cancers and melanoma, DUSP6’s inhibition of ERK1/2 activation acts as a tumor suppressor. — New Atlas, 26 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nasopharyngeal

• glossopharyngeal

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