esophagus

esophagus definition - medical

e·soph·a·gus or oe·soph·a·gus (ĭ-sŏfˈə-gəs)

noun pl. e·soph·a·gi (-jīˌ, -gīˌ)
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.

Related Forms:

  • e·sophˌa·geˈal (-jēˈəl) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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