esophagus

noun esoph·a·gus \ i-ˈsä-fə-gəs \

Updated on: 26 May 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

—

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

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
For the six cancer types with the lowest statewide surgery totals — bladder, esophagus, liver, pancreas, rectum and stomach — more than a third of hospitals performed only one or two surgeries in 2017.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Need cancer surgery in Pennsylvania? New online tool can help with the decision," 3 May 2018
Fortunately, the cancer was caught early and was contained to the esophagus.

— trihealth, Cincinnati.com, "Larry’s robotic surgery: life-saving for him, milestone for TriHealth," 2 May 2018
The aquarium believes Latte may have had a congenital defect that caused a blockage in her esophagus, preventing blood from flowing from her abdomen to her heart, which in turn meant not enough oxygen was reaching her brain.

— ellen fishel, baltimoresun.com, "Rescued grey seal named Latte dies at National Aquarium," 2 May 2018
The University of Michigan Health System and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore require annual minimums for esophagus, lung, pancreas and rectal cancer operations.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Need cancer surgery in Pennsylvania? New online tool can help with the decision," 3 May 2018
This is not the first time Macchiarini has attempted to create a bioengineered esophagus.

— matt warren, Science | AAAS, "Disgraced surgeon is still publishing on stem cell therapies," 27 Apr. 2018
This motion mimics how our intestines and esophagus move food around our body — a process known as peristalsis.

— james vincent, The Verge, "This puking robot has a purpose: making rocket fuel safely," 30 Mar. 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