RETRONASAL Meaning and
Definition
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Retronasal is an adjective that refers to the perception of odors or flavors that result from the passage of air through the nose to the back of the mouth, especially during the process of eating or drinking. It pertains to the sensory experiences occurring in the oral cavity after the release of volatile compounds from food or beverages, which are then detected by the olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity upon inhalation.
This phenomenon is distinct from orthonasal perception, which occurs when smells or aromas are directly inhaled through the nostrils. Retronasal perception is commonly associated with the sense of taste, as it plays a crucial role in detecting and determining flavors. It is intricately linked to the olfactory system, as the majority of what we perceive as taste is influenced by our ability to smell.
When we chew, swallow, or exhale, volatile compounds are released from the food or beverage into the nasopharynx. These compounds then bind to the olfactory receptors, resulting in the retronasal perception of odors and flavors. This mechanism contributes to our ability to discern various tastes and appreciate the complexity of different foods and beverages.
Retronasal sensory experiences can greatly influence our perception of a particular food or drink, as they provide an additional dimension of flavor that complements the basic taste sensations detected by the taste buds on the tongue. This interplay between the olfactory and gustatory senses is essential in creating the multisensory experience commonly associated with eating and drinking.
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Posterior nasal, relating to the posterior nares.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for RETRONASAL
- eetronasal
- detronasal
- fetronasal
- tetronasal
- 5etronasal
- 4etronasal
- rwtronasal
- rstronasal
- rdtronasal
- rrtronasal
- r4tronasal
- r3tronasal
- rerronasal
- refronasal
- regronasal
- reyronasal
- re6ronasal
- re5ronasal
- reteonasal
- retdonasal
Etymology of RETRONASAL
The word "retronasal" is formed by combining two root words: "retro-" and "nasal".
1. "Retro-" is a prefix derived from the Latin word "retro", meaning "backward" or "behind". It is commonly used in English to indicate something that is backward, occurring again, or in the past. For example, think of terms like "retroactive" or "retrospective".
2. "Nasal" comes from the Latin word "nasus", meaning "nose". In English, "nasal" refers to something related to the nose or the sense of smell.
Combining these two roots, "retronasal" emerged to describe an action or experience that occurs behind or backward through the nose.
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