esophagus

noun

esoph·​a·​gus i-ˈsä-fə-gəs How to pronounce esophagus (audio)
plural esophagi i-ˈsä-fə-ˌgī How to pronounce esophagus (audio) -ˌjī How to pronounce esophagus (audio)
: a muscular tube that conveys food from the mouth to the stomach and 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
esophageal adjective

Examples of esophagus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For example, the esophagus passes behind the heart right in the location where ablation is conducted, and too much treatment can be disastrous. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 Why Another Approved Medication Matters An EoE patient’s white blood cells build in the esophagus, causing damage and inflammation. Kayla Hui, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2024 His stomach looked fine, but the region where the esophagus entered the stomach was a mess. Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024 The rate of stomach cancer is about doubled in people who smoke, for cancers of the upper part of the stomach near the esophagus. John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 6 Feb. 2024 Acid reflux is what happens when acid from your stomach repeatedly rises into your esophagus. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Acid reflux causes stomach content to flow back into the esophagus. Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 Feb. 2024 An increase in stomach acid from the irritation of the esophagus and throat may also cause nausea. Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 Feb. 2024 The condition, caused by inflammation of the esophagus, can cause choking and other issues with swallowing. Alex Knapp, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'esophagus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of esophagus was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near esophagus

Cite this Entry

“Esophagus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esophagus. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

esophagus

noun
esoph·​a·​gus i-ˈsäf-ə-gəs How to pronounce esophagus (audio)
plural esophagi -ˌgī How to pronounce esophagus (audio)
-ˌjī
: a muscular tube that leads from the cavity behind the mouth to the stomach
esophageal adjective

Medical Definition

esophagus

noun
esoph·​a·​gus
variants or chiefly British oesophagus
plural esophagi -ˌgī How to pronounce esophagus (audio) -ˌjī How to pronounce esophagus (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on esophagus

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