esophagus

esoph·a·gus

noun \i-ˈsä-fə-gəs\

plural esoph·a·gi\-ˌgī, -ˌjī\

Definition of ESOPHAGUS

: a muscular tube that in humans is about nine inches (23 centimeters) long and passes from the pharynx down the neck between the trachea and the spinal column and behind the left bronchus where it pierces the diaphragm slightly to the left of the middle line and joins the cardiac end of the stomach

— esoph·a·ge·al \i-ˌsä-fə-ˈjē-əl\ adjective

Origin of ESOPHAGUS

Middle English ysophagus, from Medieval Latin ysofugus, from Greek oisophagos, from oisein to be going to carry + phagein to eat — more at baksheesh

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with ESOPHAGUS

coprophagous, monophagous, necrophagous, sarcophagus

esoph·a·gus

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; esoph·a·gi \-ˌgī, -ˌjī\ (audio pronunciation) (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of ESOPHAGUS

: a muscular tube that in adult humans is about nine inches (23 centimeters) long and passes from the pharynx down the neck between the trachea and the spinal column and behind the left bronchus where it pierces the diaphragm slightly to the left of the middle line and joins the cardiac end of the stomach

Variants of ESOPHAGUS

esoph·a·gus or chiefly British oe·soph·a·gus \i-ˈsäf-ə-gəs\ (audio pronunciation)

Illustration of ESOPHAGUS

esophagus

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Muscular tube that conveys food by peristalsis from the pharynx to the stomach. Both ends are closed off by sphincters (muscular constrictions), which relax to let food through and close to keep it from backing up. Disorders include ulceration and bleeding, heartburn from stomach acid, achalasia (failure of one or both sphincters to open), and muscle spasms. Scleroderma may involve the esophagus.