Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx (hollow tube in the back of the throat about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea). Pharyngitis is a common cause for a sore throat.

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Inflammation of the mucous membrane and underlying parts of the pharynx. [pharyng- + G. -itis, inflammation]

- atrophic p. chronic p. accompanied by a varying degree of atrophy of the mucous glands and absence of their secretion. SYN: p. sicca.

- gangrenous p. gangrenous inflammation of the pharyngeal mucous membrane.

- membranous p. inflammation accompanied by a fibrinous exudate, forming a nondiphtheritic false membrane.

- p. sicca SYN: atrophic p..

- ulcerative p. inflammation of the pharynx marked by ulceration of the mucosa; may have a viral etiology.

- ulceromembranous p. inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa with membranous debris overlying the ulcerative lesions.

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phar·yn·gi·tis .far-ən-'jīt-əs n, pl -git·i·des -'jit-ə-.dēz inflammation of the pharynx

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n.

inflammation of the part of the throat behind the soft palate (pharynx). It produces sore throat and may be associated with tonsillitis.

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phar·yn·gi·tis (far″in-jiґtis) [pharyng- + -itis] inflammation of the pharynx. See also faucitis and tonsillitis. Called also sore throat. pharyngitic adj