n.
the gullet: a muscular tube, about 23 cm long, that extends from the pharynx to the stomach. It is lined with mucous membrane, whose secretions lubricate food as it passes from the mouth to the stomach. Waves of peristalsis assist the passage of food.
Diseases of the oesophagus include achalasia, carcinoma, hiatus hernia, oesophageal varices, oesophagitis, and peptic ulcer.
• oesophageal adj.
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oesoph·a·gus (ə-sofґə-gəs) [Gr. oisophagos, gullet, related to phagein to eat] [TA] official terminology for esophagus.Medical dictionary. 2011.