esophageal atresia /əsof′əjē″əl, es′ofā″jē·əl/ [Gk, oisophagos, gullet] , an abnormal esophagus that ends in a blind pouch or narrows to a thin cord and thus does not provide a continuous passage to the stomach. It usually occurs as a congenital anomaly. Treatment varies by severity. Surgical intervention of some type is required to maintain nutrition.
