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Affixes: the building blocks of English
Affixes: the building blocks of English
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oesophag(o)- Also esophag(o)-

The oesophagus.

[Greek oisophagos, gullet.]

The oesophagus is the gullet, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. An oesophagoscope is an instrument for the inspection or treatment of it; oesophagitis is inflammation of it, heartburn; oesophagectomy (Greek ektomē, excision) is its surgical removal; oesophagostomy (Greek stoma, mouth) is an operation in which it is opened into the neck, usually as a temporary measure to allow feeding. In the US, it is common to use the spelling esophago- instead.

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