choana
/ˈkoʊənə/
noun
- One of the two openings at the back of the nasal cavity that connect the nose to the throat, allowing air to pass from the nose into the respiratory system.
- A blockage in the choana can make it difficult to breathe through the nose.
- In humans, each choana opens into the nasopharynx behind the palate.
- The choana is an important passage for breathing through the nose.