ˈkärdēə, ˈkȧd- noun
( plural cardi·ae -dēˌē ; or cardias -dēəz)
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek kardia heart, upper orifice of the stomach
1.
a. : the opening of the esophagus into the stomach
b. : the part of the stomach adjoining this opening
2. : the enlarged anterior portion of the ventriculus of some insects (as sucking insects that lack a proventriculus)