esophagus

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach

   Swallowing moves food down the esophagus and into the stomach.

From Late Latin oesophagus, from Greek oisophagos, 'gullet.' The Greek word has traditionally been analyzed from elements associated with carrying and eating, hence the idea of a 'food carrier.' Esophagus is the standard American spelling; oesophagus is usual in British English.

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