Odynophagia means which of the following?

Odynophagia means which of the following?

• A. Painful swallowing
• B. Painful coughing
• C. Mouth ulcers
• D. Bleeding

Answer: (A)

Odynophagia is pain with swallowing. The word combines odyn- meaning pain and -phagia meaning swallowing, so it specifically denotes painful swallowing rather than difficulty swallowing, a mouth lesion, coughing, or bleeding. In practice, odynophagia points to irritation or inflammation of the throat or esophagus (like esophagitis, infections, or pill-induced injury) and prompts evaluation if it’s persistent or associated with other symptoms.

Odynophagia is pain with swallowing. The word combines odyn- meaning pain and -phagia meaning swallowing, so it specifically denotes painful swallowing rather than difficulty swallowing, a mouth lesion, coughing, or bleeding. In practice, odynophagia points to irritation or inflammation of the throat or esophagus (like esophagitis, infections, or pill-induced injury) and prompts evaluation if it’s persistent or associated with other symptoms.