noun (plural esophagi /-ˌɡī/ /-ˌjī/ or esophaguses)
The part of the alimentary canal that connects the throat to the stomach; the gullet. In humans and other vertebrates it is a muscular tube lined with mucous membrane.
- The cause is a weakness of the sphincter muscle between the esophagus and stomach.
- Vomiting may cause a tear in the small blood vessels of the throat or lower esophagus.
- The suture line is where the surgeon has sewn the remaining esophagus to the stomach or bowel.
- Example sentences
- This leads to a more prolonged exposure of the esophageal mucosa to gastric fluid than normal.
- A thin, flexible tube is placed in the esophagus and the tip rests just above the lower esophageal sphincter.
- Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter stops stomach acid from entering the esophagus.
Late Middle English: modern Latin, from Greek oisophagos.
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