esophagus
noun
esoph·a·gus
i-ˈsä-fə-gəs 
plural esophagi
i-ˈsä-fə-ˌgī
-ˌjī
-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
Examples of esophagus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
My father died of cancer of the esophagus and his liver.
—
Jessi Roti, Bon Appétit, 20 Feb. 2025
Esophageal dilation: Strictures, or narrowing of the esophagus, can make swallowing difficult.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Feb. 2025
Some medications also help protect the esophagus from damage caused by prolonged acid exposure, improving overall digestive health.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
The research on smokeless tobacco products (like snuff or dissolvable forms) and cancer shows the same trajectory: Any amount increases your risk, in this case specifically of cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, and pancreas.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for esophagus
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Jessi Roti, Bon Appétit, 20 Feb. 2025
Esophageal dilation: Strictures, or narrowing of the esophagus, can make swallowing difficult.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Feb. 2025
Some medications also help protect the esophagus from damage caused by prolonged acid exposure, improving overall digestive health.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
The research on smokeless tobacco products (like snuff or dissolvable forms) and cancer shows the same trajectory: Any amount increases your risk, in this case specifically of cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, and pancreas.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for esophagus
Cite this Entry
“Esophagus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esophagus. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Medical Definition
esophagus
noun
esoph·a·gus
variants
or chiefly British oesophagus
: 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
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