Pronunciation: [kˈɑːdi͡əz] (IPA) 
The word "cardias" is a relatively uncommon term that refers to the opening between the esophagus and the stomach. It is pronounced as /ˈkɑr.di.əs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. This means that the first syllable is accented, and the "a" is pronounced as "ar." The second syllable has a short "i" sound and the third syllable has a schwa sound. The spelling of "cardias" is based on its Latin root "cardia," which means "heart."
Cardias refers to the anatomical structure located at the upper part of the stomach, where it meets the lower part of the esophagus. It is also known as the cardiac orifice or the gastroesophageal junction.
The cardias is a circular muscular valve that functions to control the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach and prevents the stomach's contents from regurgitating back into the esophagus. It acts as a barrier to protect the esophagus from the acidic environment of the stomach. The cardias contains a specialized ring of muscles called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which relaxes to allow food to enter the stomach and contracts to prevent the backflow of stomach acid.
Disorders affecting the cardias can lead to conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where the muscles of the LES weaken or malfunction, causing stomach acid and food to flow back into the esophagus. This can result in symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. Additionally, cardias abnormalities may contribute to Barrett's esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition characterized by changes in the lining of the esophagus.
The cardias is an essential component of the digestive system, facilitating the movement of food from the esophagus down into the stomach while maintaining a barrier against acid reflux.
The word "cardias" originated from the Ancient Greek word "kardia" (καρδία), meaning "heart". In Greek mythology and ancient medicine, the heart was considered the center and vital organ of the body. Over time, the term was adopted into Latin as "cardia" and eventually entered the English language as "cardia" or "cardias". In modern usage, it specifically refers to the upper opening of the stomach, near the diaphragm, where the esophagus enters.
