hypopharynx
noun
hy·po·phar·ynx ˌhī-pō-ˈfer-iŋ(k)s 
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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web 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 See More
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 See More 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
Medical Definition
hypopharynx
noun
hy·po·phar·ynx -ˈfar-iŋ(k)s
plural hypopharynges -fə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz also hypopharynxes
also hypopharynxes : the laryngeal part of the pharynx extending from the hyoid bone to the lower margin of the cricoid cartilage