esophagus

noun esoph·a·gus \ i-ˈsä-fə-gəs \

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Definition of esophagus

plural esophagi play \i-ˈsä-fə-ˌgī, -ˌjī\

: 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

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esophageal

play \i-ˌsä-fə-ˈjē-əl\ adjective

See esophagus defined for English-language learners

See esophagus defined for kids

Recent Examples of esophagus from the Web

Your nasal passages eventually connect to your lungs and your esophagus, so sticking something up there that could get stuck in your nose—or travel further downwards—is a bad idea.

— sarah jacoby, SELF, "Just in Case It's Not Obvious, the 'Condom Snorting Challenge' Is a Horrible Idea," 2 Apr. 2018
The next day, Brozinsky advanced the scope down the patient’s esophagus.

— lisa sanders, New York Times, "Why Did the Young Woman’s Heartburn Keep Getting Worse?," 16 May 2018
His cause of death was deemed a homicide caused by gunshot wounds to his heart, lung, esophagus and liver.

— mark berman, Washington Post, "Baton Rouge police officers won’t be charged in fatal shooting of Alton Sterling," 27 Mar. 2018
Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours tend to have underlying factors, like nerve damage or irritation from gastroesophageal reflux, which happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, causing heartburn.

— claire gillespie, SELF, "Here's What Hiccups Actually Are—and How to Get Rid of Them," 4 May 2018
That intensive procedure involves passing a tube down her throat and into her esophagus.

— nick manetto, STAT, "Medicaid’s unnecessary barriers delay care for children with complex needs," 1 May 2018
How its tongue is connected to base of the mandible instead of back near the esophagus.

— megan stielstra, Longreads, "Here is My Heart," 19 Apr. 2018
Doctors soon discovered that Cameron had a button cell battery — a coin-sized circular battery often found in watches, toys and small device — lodged in his esophagus.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Toddler Relearns to Talk and Eat After Swallowing Toy Battery: It's 'Super Dangerous,' Warns Mom," 11 May 2018
The battery caused serious injury to Cameron Soto’s esophagus, WTIC Fox 61 reported this week, and the toddler had to be hospitalized—complete with breathing and feeding tubes—for several months.

— amanda macmillan, Health.com, "A Button Battery Burned a Hole in a Toddler's Esophagus, and His Parents Are Sharing Their Scary Story," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'esophagus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

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

ESOPHAGUS Defined for English Language Learners

esophagus

noun

Definition of esophagus for English Language Learners

medical : the tube that leads from the mouth through the throat to the stomach

ESOPHAGUS Defined for Kids

esophagus

noun esoph·a·gus \ i-ˈsä-fə-gəs \

Definition of esophagus for Students

plural esophagi \-ˌgī, -ˌjī\

: a muscular tube that leads from the mouth through the throat to the stomach

Medical Dictionary

esophagus

noun esoph·a·gus

variants: or chiefly British oesophagus play \i-ˈsäf-ə-gəs\

medical Definition of esophagus

plural esophagi play \-ˌgī, -ˌjī\

: 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