esophagus

[ ih-sof-uh-guhs, ee-sof- ]

noun

, Anatomy, Zoology.

, plural e·soph·a·gi [ih-, sof, -, uh, -jahy, gahy, ee-, sof, -].

1. a muscular passage connecting the mouth or pharynx with the stomach in invertebrate and vertebrate animals; gullet.

esophagus

/ iːˈsɒfəɡəs; iːˌsɒfəˈdʒiːəl /

noun

1. the US spelling of oesophagus

esophagus

/ ĭ-sŏf′ə-gəs /

, Plural esophagi ĭ-sŏf′ə-jī′,-gī′

1. The muscular tube in vertebrates through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach.

esophagus

1. The muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach and serves as a passageway for food. ( See digestive system .)

Derived Forms

• esophageal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of esophagus¹

1350–1400; < New Latin oesophagus < Greek oisophágos gullet, literally, channel for eating ( oiso-, akin to oísein, future infinitive of phérein to carry + -phagos eating); replacing Middle English ysophagus < Medieval Latin

Example Sentences

Approximately 600 times a day, the esophagus ferries whatever is in your mouth down to your stomach.

From Los Angeles Times

That can damage the cells lining the esophagus, prompting them to grow back with genetic mistakes.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s when doctors discover a tumor that has grown into the walls of the esophagus, and likely beyond.

From Los Angeles Times

The camera allows doctors to inspect the esophagus up close and check for abnormal cells that could become cancerous.

From Los Angeles Times

In the U.S., the most common form of the cancer begins at the base of the esophagus.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• larynx