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

British Dictionary definitions for esophagi

esophagus
/ (iːˈsɒfəɡəs) /

noun plural -gi (-ˌdʒaɪ) or -guses

the US spelling of oesophagus

Derived forms of esophagus

esophageal (iːˌsɒfəˈdʒiːəl), adjective

Medical 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•geal (-jēəl) adj.

Scientific definitions for esophagi

esophagus
[ ĭ-sŏfə-gəs ]

Plural esophagi (ĭ-sŏfə-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.)