Definition & Meaning of "esophagus"

Esophagus

NOUN

a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach, allowing for the passage of food and liquids during digestion

What is "esophagus"?

The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach in the human body. It serves as a passage for food and liquids to travel from the mouth to the stomach during the process of swallowing. The walls of the esophagus contract in coordinated movements, known as peristalsis, to push the food downward. The esophagus also contains a sphincter at its lower end, called the lower esophageal sphincter, which helps prevent stomach acid and contents from flowing back into the esophagus. Its role in facilitating the safe and efficient transport of food makes the esophagus an essential component of the digestive system.

Example

The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach, allowing food and liquids to pass from the mouth to the stomach for digestion.

When you swallow food or drink, it travels down the esophagus through a series of muscle contractions called peristalsis.

Disorders of the esophagus, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or esophageal cancer, can cause symptoms like heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or chest pain.

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that opens to let food into the stomach and closes to prevent stomach acid from coming back up into the esophagus.

A blockage or narrowing of the esophagus, called esophageal stricture, can make it difficult or painful to swallow food or liquids.

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Definition & Meaning of "esophagus"

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