What is the medical term for narrowing of the esophagus?

The medical term for narrowing of the esophagus is "stenosis." Stenosis refers to the abnormal constriction or narrowing of a bodily canal or passage, which in this case applies specifically to the esophagus. When the esophagus becomes narrowed, it can lead to difficulties in swallowing (dysphagia) and other associated symptoms, which can significantly affect a person's quality of life.

The term is often used in a variety of medical contexts, but when applied to the esophagus, it describes a condition that may arise from various causes such as chronic inflammation, scarring, congenital defects, or tumors. It’s important to understand that effective diagnosis and treatment of esophageal stenosis often require medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause, which might involve imaging studies and potentially endoscopy.

In contrast, dilation refers to the process of widening or expanding a passage, while diverticulosis involves the formation of small pouches in the colon wall, and obstruction generally refers to a blockage, which may or may not result from stenosis. Each of these terms describes different pathological conditions, reinforcing the specificity of stenosis to narrowing.