Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pharyngeal jaws

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.31 in modern English

Syllables: pha-ryn-geal -jaws
IPA

33

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

4

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A secondary set of toothed bones or cartilage located deep within a fish's pharynx (or throat), behind the primary oral jaws; this second set of jaws are distinct from the main mouth jaws and are typically used to process food (like crushing, grinding, or tearing) and transport it to the esophagus, after the primary jaws have captured the prey.

Example Sentences

"In more advanced actinopterygians, the pharyngeal jaws take on the main role in processing food in addition to transport. Breaking down food ... is facilitated by a variety of changes that enable the pharyngeal jaws to engage more effectively. Teeth are concentrated on the tooth pads of the pharyngeal jaws."

Etymology

From pharyngeal + jaw.

Questions

What does pharyngeal jaws mean?: A secondary set of toothed bones or cartilage located deep within a fish's pharynx (or throat), behind the primary oral jaws; this second set of jaws are distinct from the main mouth jaws and are typically used to process food (like crushing, grinding, or tearing) and transport it to the esophagus, after the primary jaws have captured the prey.
Where does pharyngeal jaws come from?: From pharyngeal + jaw.

How to pronounce pharyngeal jaws

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