esophagus

noun esoph·a·gus \ i-ˈsä-fə-gəs \

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

The personable senior tight end, another friend of Johnathan’s since middle school, lost his father, Eric Peterson, to esophagus cancer on July 20.

— kyle neddenriep, Indianapolis Star, "Warren Central community, family not ready to give up the fight," 24 Aug. 2017
The gut, which includes your esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, colon and other parts of your digestive system, is the first line of defense and the largest interface between the host — in this case, a person — and the outside world.

— jasenka zubcevic and christopher martyniuk, Washington Post, "Tiny gut organisms may influence food cravings and what our bodies do with fat," 13 Aug. 2017
About the Author Jon C. Gould, MD, specializes in weight loss surgery and has a national reputation for minimally invasive surgical treatment of diseases of the stomach and esophagus.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Challenging misperceptions: Bariatric surgery," 9 Aug. 2017
The same goes for the esophagus, Bell said Voracious eating also could cause choking.

— sean rossman, USA TODAY, "The science of competitive eating: How do they do it?," 30 June 2017
The same goes for the esophagus, Bell said Voracious eating also could cause choking.

— sean rossman, USA TODAY, "The science of competitive eating: How do they do it?," 30 June 2017
Obesity has been associated with many GI diseases, such as gallbladder disease; fatty liver disease; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); and cancer of the esophagus, stomach, liver and colon.

— don rauf, chicagotribune.com, "High-intensity exercise may be bad for the bowels," 23 June 2017
Case in point: the Texas mom who issued a public service announcement back in May 2017 after her 10-year-old daughter ingested one of the pieces, which obstructed her esophagus and resulted in a major surgery.

— michelle darrisaw, Southern Living, "Uh-Oh! Fidget Spinners May Not Be Safe for Kids After All," 22 June 2017
A 10-year-old girl from Texas did get a piece of a spinner lodged in her esophagus, and a 5-year-old boy from Oregon had to undergo surgery after swallowing a part.

— lindsey murray, Good Housekeeping, "Parents Beware: Another Kid Swallowed a Fidget Spinner Part," 22 June 2017

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

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