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

Connolly’s bid comes less than a month after the eight-term Democrat announced a diagnosis of esophagus cancer. —Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024

Treats Heartburn Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, which occurs when acidic stomach contents flow back into the food pipe (esophagus). —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 27 Nov. 2024

Normal Bowel and Esophagus Function The esophagus (food tube) runs between the mouth and the stomach. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 25 Nov. 2024

The gastrointestinal tract atlas, which includes the tissues of the mouth through to the esophagus, stomach, intestines and colon, was created with data from 1.6 million cells and revealed a cell type that might play a role in chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024

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