esophagus
[ ih-sof-uh-guh s, ee-sof- ]
/ ɪˈsɒf ə gəs, iˈsɒf- /
noun, plural e·soph·a·gi [ih-sof-uh-jahy, gahy, ee-sof-] /ɪˈsɒf əˌdʒaɪ, ˌgaɪ, iˈsɒf-/. Anatomy, Zoology.
a muscular passage connecting the mouth or pharynx with the stomach in invertebrate and vertebrate animals; gullet.
Origin of esophagus
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
Words nearby esophagus
British Dictionary definitions for esophagi
Derived forms of esophagus
esophageal (iːˌsɒfəˈdʒiːəl), adjectiveMedical definitions for esophagi
esophagus
n. pl. e•soph•a•gi (-jī′, -gī′)
The portion of the digestive canal between the pharynx and stomach, consisting of a cervical part from the cricoid cartilage to the thoracic inlet, a thoracic part from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm, and an abdominal part below the diaphragm to the stomach.
Other words from esophagus
e•soph′a•ge′al (-jē′əl) adj.Scientific definitions for esophagi
esophagus
[ ĭ-sŏf′ə-gəs ]
Plural esophagi (ĭ-sŏf′ə-jī′, -gī′)
The muscular tube in vertebrates through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach.
Cultural definitions for esophagi
esophagus
[ (i-sof-uh-guhs) ]
The muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach and serves as a passageway for food. (See digestive system.)