esophagus

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

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

esophagi 

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

plural

esophagi 

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.)

Other Word 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

Esophageal dysmotility —disorders that affect the esophagus’ ability to move food and liquid to a person’s stomach — also contributed to Ladd’s death, People reported.

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NRF2 overactivity plays a major role in chemotherapy resistance in several solid tumors, including cancers of the liver, esophagus and head and neck.

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But, days away from returning to live game action, May went to dinner in Arizona on July 10 and tore his esophagus on a bite of a salad that got lodged in his throat.

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Dodgers pitcher Dustin May talks about how he sustained a serious tear in his esophagus that derailed his hopes of returning to the mound last season.

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The surgeon general’s advisory said that cancers of the colorectum, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat and larynx are all tied to drinking, as is breast cancer in women.

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Related Words

• larynx