oropharyngeal

adjective

oro·​pha·​ryn·​geal ˌȯr-ə-ˌfer-ən-ˈjē-əl 

-ˌfa-rən-,

-fə-ˈrin-j(ē-)əl 

1

: of or relating to the oropharynx

2

: of or relating to the mouth and pharynx

Examples of oropharyngeal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cervical cancer may show up when people are in their 30s or 40s, but oropharyngeal cancers are mostly diagnosed when people are in their 50s or 60s, the researchers warn. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

Adam Greenfield Treatment for oropharyngeal cancer can be brutal. —Lisa Doggett, NPR, 12 Mar. 2025

Men The vaccine has significant benefits for men to prevent oropharyngeal cancer, which is cancer of the throat, tonsils, and back of tongue. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Mar. 2025

Very rarely, oral HPV can lead to a certain type of head and neck cancer known as oropharyngeal cancer. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oropharyngeal

• glossopharyngeal
• nasopharyngeal
• velopharyngeal

Medical Definition

oropharyngeal

adjective

oro·​pha·​ryn·​geal -ˌfar-ən-ˈjē-əl  -fə-ˈrin-j(ē-)əl 

1

: of or relating to the oropharynx

2

: of or relating to the mouth and pharynx