esophagus

noun

esoph·​a·​gus i-ˈsä-fə-gəs 

plural esophagi 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

esophageal

i-ˌsä-fə-ˈjē-əl 

adjective

Examples of esophagus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The esophageal phase involves the stimulation of the salivary glands as food moves through the esophagus. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023

Acid Reflux Acid reflux happens when the stomach releases contents into the esophagus. —Nicole Harris, Parents, 25 Aug. 2023

Acid reflux, also commonly known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus, which connects your stomach to your throat. —Ashley Martens, Women's Health, 18 Aug. 2023

The study also found that eosinophilic esophagitis — a rare type of food allergy that causes inflammation in the esophagus — affects a larger proportion of nonwhite children than previously thought. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 25 July 2023

Impact of Inflamation In the study, Kerry Dunbar, M.D., Ph.D., and her colleagues looked at 12 patients who had esophagitis (when the esophagus becomes irritated and swollen), a complication that isn't seen in every GERD patient. —Chelsey Hamilton, Health, 9 Mar. 2023

The common condition can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can damage the esophagus and increase cancer risk. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2023

This rare disease causes pouches in your esophagus to point outward. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Aug. 2023

To understand how coffee might affect the esophagus, scientists also study a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which occurs when the esophagus is damaged from chronic exposure to stomach acid, such as in people with longstanding acid reflux issues. —Trisha Pasricha, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2023

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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

Kids Definition

esophagus

noun

esoph·​a·​gus i-ˈsäf-ə-gəs 

plural esophagi -ˌgī 

-ˌjī

: a muscular tube that leads from the cavity behind the mouth to the stomach

esophageal

-ˌsäf-ə-ˈjē-əl 

adjective

Medical Definition

esophagus

noun

esoph·​a·​gus

variants or chiefly British oesophagus

i-ˈsäf-ə-gəs 

plural esophagi -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