1. Located or occurring in front of the mouth; situated anterior to the oral cavity.
Usage: technical; anatomy; zoology

Examples

• The preoral region of the fish contains sensory organs used for detecting food.
• Preoral structures in certain invertebrates help with feeding and navigation.
• The preoral cavity is distinct from the oral cavity proper in anatomical classification.
• Researchers examined the preoral appendages of the crustacean under the microscope.