A tube down which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach.
The oesophagus, or gullet, is the muscular tube linking the throat to the stomach, down which passes swallowed food and drink. It consists of three coats: a strong outer coat of muscle-fibres in two layers, the outer running lengthwise and the inner being circular; inside this is a loose connective tissue coat containing blood vessels, glands, and nerves; and finally a strong mucous membrane lined by epithelium, which closely resembles that of the mouth and skin. Peristaltic waves and mucus secretion from the lining cells help the passage of food.
The muscular tube responsible for transporting food from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus is a component of the digestive tract.
The uppermost portion of the esophagus constitutes the narrowest segment within the entirety of the digestive tract. It is enveloped by a sphincter, a circular muscle that remains typically closed but can open to facilitate the passage of food. An analogous sphincter functions at the junction where the esophagus meets the stomach. The walls of the esophagus are composed of robust muscle fibers organized in bundles: some in circular arrangements, and others in longitudinal configurations. The inner lining of the esophagus is comprised of smooth, squamous epithelium composed of flattened cells.
Forceful waves of contractions, known as peristalsis, traverse the muscles within the esophageal wall, effectively propelling food and liquids downward toward the stomach and intestines to facilitate digestion. Gravity has a limited role in aiding the passage of food into the stomach, which allows the possibility of consuming liquids even when in an inverted position.