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