Bloodletting was one of the most enduring and popular medical practices in history, originated by the Greeks and used up until the 19th century for, well, basically everything. If you were feeling under the weather back in the day there's a good chance it was because you just had too much damn blood.
eÂ·sophÂ·aÂ·gus. n. pl. eÂ·sophÂ·aÂ·gi (-jÄ«â², -gÄ«â²) also oeÂ·sophÂ·aÂ·gi. The muscular tube by which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach; the gullet.
The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food, and liquids from your mouth to the stomach. You may not be aware of your esophagus until you swallow something too large, too hot, or too cold. You may also notice it when something is wrong.