esophagus

esoph·a·gus | \ i-ˈsä-fə-gəs

plural esophagi\ i-ˈsä-fə-ˌgī

, -ˌjī \

Definition of esophagus

: 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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Examples of esophagus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Between the stomach and the esophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach) is a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter, according to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Is Late-Night Snacking Really So Wrong?," 23 Aug. 2019 Doctors cut out that bad part of his esophagus in July, and with the help of continuing chemo and radiation treatment, he has been declared cancer-free. — Kevin Fagan, SFChronicle.com, "Evicted for having cancer, disabled house painter lands in a place of his own," 28 Nov. 2019 Whales were quickly ruled out by the marine experts because only one, a sperm whale, has a large enough esophagus to swallow a man whole. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: A past president of Israel chose La Jolla as his hideaway," 20 Aug. 2019 This can cause acid reflux, meaning that gastric acid can enter your esophagus and lead to heartburn. — Tara C. Smith, SELF, "Should You Worry About the Zantac Recall If You've Been Using It for Heartburn?," 31 Oct. 2019 Lucas was referred to Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where gastrointestinal specialists took x-rays of his esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum. — Heidi Stevens, chicagotribune.com, "Column: After going ‘through hell and back,’ 11-year-old boy is saved by his little sister’s stem cells," 10 Oct. 2019 The webbed contraption looks something like an unraveled alimentary canal — esophagus, stomach and intestines. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: With the Amazon rainforest on fire, Ernesto Neto’s art opens a jungle clearing," 9 Oct. 2019 Sometimes this valve remains open, allowing the contents of the stomach and digestive juices to flow back up into the esophagus and cause irritation, Scott Gabbard, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Is Late-Night Snacking Really So Wrong?," 23 Aug. 2019 Despite several efforts to quit drinking, Hallett developed pancreatitis and her liver was so scarred, the blood backed up into the veins of her esophagus. — Jayne O'donnell, USA TODAY, "'Deaths of despair' from drugs, alcohol and suicide hit young adults hardest," 13 June 2019

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.

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Last Updated

20 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Esophagus.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esophagus. Accessed 22 January 2020.

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More Definitions for esophagus

esophagus

noun

English Language Learners Definition of esophagus

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

See the full definition for esophagus in the English Language Learners Dictionary

esophagus

noun

esoph·a·gus | \ i-ˈsä-fə-gəs

plural esophagi\ -ˌgī , -ˌjī \

Kids Definition of esophagus

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

esophagus

noun

esoph·a·gus

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

plural esophagi\ -ˌgī

, -ˌjī

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

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