What is "odynophagia"

n. severe pain in mouth or esophagus when attempting to swallow.

n. severe pain on swallowing due to a disorder of the esophagus

Odynophagia (from the Greek roots odyno-, pain + -phagia, from phagein, to eat) is painful swallowing, in the mouth ( oropharynx) or esophagus. It can occur with or without dysphagia.

Odynophagia often results in inadvertent weight loss. It can be caused by many conditions, including very hot or cold food or drink, drugs, ulcers and mucosal destruction, upper respiratory tract infections, immune disorders, epiglottitis, cancers, and motor disorders.