esophagus

esophagus /esoph·a·gus/ (ĕ-sof´ah-gus) the musculomembranous passage extending from the pharynx to the stomach.

Esophagus, comprising cervical, thoracic, and abdominal parts.

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e·soph·a·gus or oe·soph·a·gus (-sf-gs)

n. pl. e·soph·a·gi (-j, -g)

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.

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e·sopha·geal (-jl) adj.

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Esophagus

The tube connecting the throat to the stomach, which is about ten inches long in adults. It is coated with mucus and surrounded by muscles, and pushes food to the stomach by sequential waves of contraction. It functions to transport food from the throat to the stomach and to keep the contents of the stomach in the stomach.

Mentioned in: Achalasia, Antigastroesophageal Reflux Drugs, Bariatric Surgery, Bleeding Varices, Cutis Laxa, Failure to Thrive, Hypothermia, Lower Esophageal Ring, Sclerotherapy for Esophageal Varices

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esophagus

[esof′əgəs]

Etymology: Gk, oisophagos

the musculomembranous canal, about 24 cm long, extending from the pharynx to the stomach. It begins in the neck at the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage, opposite the sixth cervical vertebra, and descends to the cardiac sphincter of the stomach in a vertical path with two slight curves. The esophagus is composed of a fibrous coat, a muscular coat, and a submucous coat and is lined with mucous membrane. Also spelled oesophagus. Also called gullet. esophageal, adj.

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esophagus

(isof´gs),
n the muscular canal extending from the pharynx to the stomach.

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esophagus

the musculomembranous passage extending from the pharynx to the stomach, consisting of an outer fibrous coat, a muscular layer (all striated in dogs and ruminants, plus some smooth muscle in cats, pigs and horses), a submucous layer, and an inner mucous membrane. Each end is equipped with a functional sphincter although these are not distinct anatomically.

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redundant esophagus

a ventral esophageal deviation at the thoracic inlet. Seen on x-rays, mainly in brachycephalic dogs.

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esophagus

See Esophageal etc.

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Patient discussion about esophagus.

Q. Cn barret esophagous be cured? I was diagnosed with barretts esophagus several years ago, and so far keeps on the routine follow up. I met some other guy with same condition and he told after his doctor prescribed him with some anti-reflux meds, in the last endoscopy they found normal esophagus, and that he thinks he's now cured. Is that possible?

A. No. It can't be totally cured, especially not the risk of malignancy. The esophagus may seem normal, but the potentially cancerous cells are still there.

Q. do we need the esophagus to live? If we were to take our esophagus away would we still live?

A. Principally, yes. Feeding can be done through a hole in the stomach (PEG). Life is possible this way, although one may argue about the quality of life in this situation.