esophagus

noun

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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 Seriously, what other film this year provided sound for a worm’s esophagus? — Tim Gray, Variety, 5 Jan. 2022 Some people absolutely need long-term treatment, such as people with Barrett’s esophagus, a complication of longstanding reflux. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 23 Nov. 2021 The blood tests were more likely to detect more advanced cancers, and was most accurate in detecting 12 kinds of cancer—including liver, head and neck, esophagus, pancreas, and ovarian—for which there are no routine screening tests. — Elizabeth Narins, Health.com, 8 Nov. 2021 Experts will then open their beaks and massage a soft rubber tube down their esophagus for a feeding. — Robin Estrin, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2021 Hot dogs are not all that Chestnut crams down his esophagus during food competitions. — Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2021 Oliver had surgery in January to connect his esophagus and his stomach. — Michael Hollan, Fox News, 15 Oct. 2021 But if your lower esophageal sphincter is malfunctioning for some reason, those acids can bubble their way back up into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation. — Elizabeth Millard, SELF, 19 Oct. 2021 Sleeping on your back can also be helpful for people with acid reflux: Memmini says lying on a pillow elevates the head, which can prevent contents of the stomach from moving up the esophagus. — Ashley Abramson, Health.com, 5 Oct. 2021

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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Dictionary Entries Near esophagus

esophagitis

esophagus

esoteric

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Last Updated

16 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Esophagus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esophagus. Accessed 28 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for esophagus

esophagus

noun

English Language Learners Definition of esophagus

: 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