ESOPHAGUS (esophagi, oesophagi)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: esophagi    , oesophagi   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does esophagus mean? 

• ESOPHAGUS (noun)
  The noun ESOPHAGUS has 1 sense:

1. the passage between the pharynx and the stomach

  Familiarity information: ESOPHAGUS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ESOPHAGUS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The passage between the pharynx and the stomach

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

esophagus; gorge; gullet; oesophagus

Hypernyms ("esophagus" is a kind of...):

passage; passageway (a path or channel or duct through or along which something may pass)

muscle system; muscular structure; musculature (the muscular system of an organism)

Meronyms (parts of "esophagus"):

epicardia (the short part of the esophagus extending downward from the diaphragm to the stomach)

cardiac sphincter (the valve between the distal end of the esophagus and the stomach; the physiological sphincter at the esophagogastric junction)

Holonyms ("esophagus" is a part of...):

alimentary canal; alimentary tract; digestive tract; digestive tube; gastrointestinal tract; GI tract (tubular passage of mucous membrane and muscle extending about 8.3 meters from mouth to anus; functions in digestion and elimination)

Derivation:

esophageal (relating to the esophagus)

 Context examples 

A malignant neoplasm that has spread to the esophagus from another organ or system, or from another primary esophageal tumor.

(Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm to the Esophagus, NCI Thesaurus)

Metoclopramide may also strengthen the lower esophagus sphincter, thereby preventing acid reflux.

(Metoclopramide, NCI Thesaurus)

This agent may also increase the resting tone of the lower esophagus sphincter (LES), preventing acid reflux.

(Metoclopramide Hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)

A representative example is the adenocarcinoma arising in Barrett esophagus.

(Metaplastic carcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)

Using it can lead to nicotine addiction and can cause cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and pancreas.

(Chewing tobacco, NCI Dictionary)

A device used to look at tissues in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

(Capsule endoscope, NCI Dictionary)

Simple tubular or compound racemose type glands located in the region where the esophagus attaches to the stomach which secrete mucus.

(Cardia Gland, NCI Thesaurus)

Sometimes tumors also form in the adrenal glands and esophagus.

(Carney triad, NCI Dictionary)

Inside your chest are several organs, including the heart, lungs, and esophagus.

(Chest Injuries and Disorders, NIH)

The middle one third of the esophagus in which the muscle layer is composed of muscle cells of the striated and smooth types.

(Middle Third of the Esophagus, NCI Thesaurus)