Definition of "esophagus" []

• The muscular membranous tube for the passage of food from the pharynx to the stomach; the gullet. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "_Webs in the upper third of the esophagus_ are best determined by the passage of a large esophagoscope which puts the esophagus on the stretch."
• "For example, discomfort from chronic reflux (not necessarily causing vomiting) can result in poor intake because the esophagus is inflamed."
• "The esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach."