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
Share [Findings] Juvenile Japanese eels can escape from the stomachs of dark sleepers by pushing their tails back through the fish’s esophagus and out its gills.
—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
Esophageal Dilation Long-term inflammation can damage the tissue of the esophagus, causing scarring and narrowing.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 19 Jan. 2025
Use a small amount of water or milk to clear any berry material from the mouth and esophagus.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2024
If they get lodged in a child’s throat, the saliva triggers an electric current causing a chemical burn that can severely damage the esophagus.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
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Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
Esophageal Dilation Long-term inflammation can damage the tissue of the esophagus, causing scarring and narrowing.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 19 Jan. 2025
Use a small amount of water or milk to clear any berry material from the mouth and esophagus.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2024
If they get lodged in a child’s throat, the saliva triggers an electric current causing a chemical burn that can severely damage the esophagus.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for esophagus
Dictionary Entries Near esophagus
Cite this Entry
“Esophagus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esophagus. Accessed 2 Feb. 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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