esophag-, esophago-
(Greek: gullet, throat [passage from the mouth to the stomach], that which carries food; the path along which food travels from the mouth to the stomach)
Here is a special article about the Neck and Throat.
2. The external opening of a surgically created communication between the skin and the esophagus.
2. In medicine, the musculomembranous passage extending from the pharynx to the stomach.
It is about 25-cm long and consists of three parts:
- The cervical part, from the cricoid cartilage to the thoracic inlet.
- The thoracic part, from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm.
- The abdominal part, below the diaphragm to the cardiac opening of the stomach.
This happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn't which may cause esophagitis.
Also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis.
The thoracic esophagus also loses its normal peristaltic activity and becomes dilated. Also called, cardiospasm.
Specifically, failure of the esophagogastric sphincter to relax when swallowing, because of the degeneration of ganglion cells in the wall of the organ.
2. A disorder in the elderly characterized by altered spontaneous movement of the alimentary tract: Mr. Hathaway, affected with presbyesophagus, had to eat very slowly because swallowing his food was very difficult for him.
Related "eat, eating" word units: brycho-; esculent-; glutto-; phago-; vor-.
Cross references related to "neck, throat" word families: cervic-; coll-; guttur-; laryng-; nuch-; trachel-.
Cross references of word families that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "food, nutrition, nourishment": alimento-; broma-; carno-; cibo-; esculent-; sitio-; tropho-; Eating Crawling Snacks; Eating: Carnivorous-Plant "Pets"; Eating: Folivory or Leaf Eaters; Eating: Omnivorous.