Oesophagi: meaning, definitions and examples
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oesophagi
[ ɪˈsɒfəˌɡaɪ ]
anatomy biology
The term 'oesophagi' is the plural form of 'oesophagus,' which refers to the muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) with the stomach in humans and other vertebrates. It plays a crucial role in the digestive system, transporting food and liquids that have been swallowed from the mouth to the stomach. The oesophagus is lined with a mucous membrane and has several layers of muscle that help push food along through a process known as peristalsis. Issues with the oesophagus can lead to various health problems, including heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The oesophagi of mammals differ from those of reptiles.
- In some species, multiple oesophagi are adapted for different types of diets.
- Doctors can perform procedures on the patient's oesophagi using endoscopy.
Translations
Translations of the word "oesophagi" in other languages:
🇵🇹 esôfagos
🇮🇳 अन्ननलिका
🇩🇪 Ösophage
🇮🇩 esofagus
🇺🇦 стравохід
🇵🇱 przełyk
🇯🇵 食道
🇫🇷 œsophage
🇪🇸 esófago
🇹🇷 özofagus
🇰🇷 식도
🇸🇦 المريء
🇨🇿 jícen
🇸🇰 jedlo
🇨🇳 食管
🇸🇮 esophagus
🇮🇸 vélinda
🇰🇿 асқазан
🇬🇪 ეზოფაგი
🇦🇿 özofaq
🇲🇽 esófago
Etymology
The word 'oesophagus' comes from the Greek word 'oisa,' which means 'to carry,' combined with 'phagein,' meaning 'to eat.' The first known use of the term in English dates back to the late 14th century. In early medical literature, it was often spelled as 'esophagus.' The term reflects the anatomical structure's primary function as the channel for food. Over time, the spelling evolved, particularly in different English-speaking regions, resulting in variations such as 'esophagus' in American English and 'oesophagus' in British English. This etymological background emphasizes the critical role of the oesophagus in digestion and eating, illustrating the integration of language and science in medical terminology.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,085, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.