1) Passage 2) Passageway 
The portion of the oesophagus from where it passes through the diaphragm to the stomach. ... Origin: epi-+ G. Kardia, heart ... (05 Mar 2000) ... 
(ep″ĭ-kahr´de-ә) the lower portion of the esophagus, extending from the esophageal hiatus to the cardia, the upper orifice of the stomach.
Type: Term Pronunciation: ep′i-kar′dē-ă Synonyms: abdominal part of esophagus
[n] - the short part of the esophagus extending downward from the diaphragm to the stomach
noun the short part of the esophagus extending downward from the diaphragm to the stomach