The opening into the nasopharynx of the nasal cavity on either side. SYN: posterior nasal apertures, isthmus pharyngonasalis, posterior nares, postnaris. [Mod. L. fr. G. choane, a funnel]
- primary choana, primitive choana initial opening of the nasal pits and olfactory sac of the embryo into the rostral part of the primordial oronasal cavity, before the formation of the secondary palate.
- secondary choana the definitive choana opening into the nasopharynx, after the nasal chambers have been lengthened by the formation of the secondary palate. SYN: internal nostril.
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cho·a·nae (koґə-ne) [L.] genitive and plural of choana.Medical dictionary. 2011.