esophagus

noun esoph·a·gus \i-ˈsä-fə-gəs\

medical : the tube that leads from the mouth through the throat to the stomach

plural esoph·a·gi\-ˌgī, -ˌjī\

Full Definition of ESOPHAGUS

: a muscular tube 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

— esoph·a·ge·al \i-ˌsä-fə-ˈjē-əl\ adjective

See esophagus defined for English-language learners

See esophagus defined for kids

Origin 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

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with ESOPHAGUS

coprophagous, monophagous, necrophagous, sarcophagus

ESOPHAGUS Defined for Kids

esophagus

noun esoph·a·gus \i-ˈsä-fə-gəs\

plural esoph·a·gi \-ˌgī, -ˌjī\

Definition of ESOPHAGUS for Kids

: a muscular tube that leads from the mouth through the throat to the stomach

Medical Dictionary

esophagus

noun esoph·a·gus

plural esoph·a·gi \-ˌgī, -ˌjī\

Medical Definition of ESOPHAGUS

: 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