Pronunciation: [nˈɑːɹɪs] (IPA) 
The word "naris" describes one nostril of a human or animal. Phonetically, it is pronounced as /ˈnɛrɪs/. The first syllable "na" has a short "e" sound, followed by the consonant "r" and the short "i" vowel sound. The second syllable "ris" has a long "e" sound represented by the letter "i" and ending with the consonant "s". While the word "naris" may not commonly be used in everyday speech, it is an important anatomical term.
Naris is a noun referring to each of the two external openings of the nasal cavity in vertebrates, commonly known as nostrils. It is derived from the Latin word "naris" meaning nose.
In anatomy, the term naris describes the external and visible part of the nose through which air enters and exits the nasal cavity during breathing. In humans, as in many mammals, each naris is located in the middle of the face, below the bridge of the nose. The nostrils serve as the entry point for inhaled air, providing the pathway for it to reach the nasal cavity where it is warmed, humidified, and filtered. The ability to rapidly detect odors is also attributed to the naris, as it plays a crucial role in detecting and analyzing scent particles in the air.
In the animal kingdom, the structure and location of the narises can vary widely. In some species, they may be positioned on the sides of the snout, on the upper lip, or even on the top of the head. Adaptations of the narises are often seen in animals that have specialized senses of smell, such as canines, who possess a highly developed sense of smell used for tracking and hunting prey.
Overall, the naris is an essential anatomical feature in many species, serving as the primary gateway for breathing and olfaction.
Nostril; the opening, especially the anterior opening, of the nasal fossa on either side.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "naris" can be traced back to Latin. It is the singular form of the Latin word "nares", which means "nostrils". The Latin word "nares" itself is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *nas-, meaning "nose". This root has cognates in various other Indo-European languages, such as the Greek word "νῆστις" (nē̂stis), meaning "nostril", and the Old English word "næs" or "næse", meaning "nose".
