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It is a tube that connects the pharynx (throat) with the stomach. It passes down the neck, pierces the diaphragm just to the left of the midline, and joins the cardiac (upper) end of the stomach. When a person swallows, the muscular walls of the esophagus contract to push food down into the stomach. Glands in the lining of the esophagus produce mucus, which keeps the passageway moist and facilitates swallowing.
The main function of the esophagus is a tube that connects our mouth to the stomach. it is also known as the gullet. The word esophagus comes from a greek word which means to carry what is eaten.
The esophagus is your food tube. Your trachea is our tube for air.
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The esophagus is a part of one's digestive system. It enables food and liquids to pass from the mouth to the stomach. The esophagus is a muscular tube which measures approximately 25 cm (10 inches) from top to bottom. The top of the esophagus is attached to the pharynx, which is the anatomical term for the back of your throat. The bottom of the esophagus is attached to the stomach.
There are two major muscle layers lining the esophagus. The first is an outer muscle layer, whose fibers run longitudinally up and down the length of the esophagus. The inner layer of muscle contains circular fibers which form a series of rings around the esophagus.
The esophagus is a somewhat unique organ in that the muscle in the upper part is under voluntary control, while the muscles of the lower end are under involuntary control. The upper portion of both muscle layers are made up of striated muscle, which one is able to contract voluntarily when one swallows. As one proceeds down the length of the esophagus, the muscle fibers gradually change to a type of muscle known as smooth muscle. By the time one reaches the lower esophagus, all of the muscle has become smooth muscle. Smooth muscle is under involuntary control by one's nervous system. These muscles then merge with the muscles in the stomach.
The esophagus joins to the stomach just below the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the large muscle, located at the base of one's lungs which aids in breathing. There is a hole in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes. At the top and the bottom of the esophagus is a pair of sphincters. Sphincters are valves found throughout the body which selectively block or allow other substances to pass through. The upper esophageal sphincter is normally closed. It opens for a brief period when you attempt to swallow either solid food or liquids. When the upper esophageal sphincter opens, it blocks the airway going to the lung. This prevents the food or liquid from passing in to your lungs. It goes without saying that pouring food in to your lungs would not be good for your health.
The lower esophageal sphincter connects the esophagus to the stomach. Even at rest, this sphincter is tightly closed. This prevents the contents of the stomach from flowing back into the esophagus. The contents of the stomach are highly acidic and if they were to flow back into the esophagus, they would cause much irritation and damage to the delicate tissues in the esophageal lining.
As you swallow, the piece of food you are eating is moved from the mouth to the pharynx voluntarily. As this takes place, the upper esophageal sphincter immediately relaxes and allows food into the upper esophagus. This sequence stimulates a series of muscle contractions known as a peristaltic wave. The peristaltic wave is a coordinated series of muscle contractions which began in the upper esophagus and slowly pushes the food down in to the stomach. Contrary to popular belief, food does not get to the stomach by gravity. This can be demonstrated by standing on your head and attempting to swallow food or water. This can be done, although from time to time gravity will override the strength of the muscles in the esophagus and you will end up spitting food all over your own face.
Once the food has reached the bottom of the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes, allowing the food to enter the stomach.
There are some common conditions related to esophageal dysfunction. The most common of these is an abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. This causes contents of the stomach to regurgitate back into the esophagus. This condition is commonly known as gastro esophageal reflux disorder, or GERD.
The esophagus is a smooth tube that when we eat food goes trough the esophagus to the stomach. The trachea (windpipe) is made of cartilaginous rings that when we inhale/exhale air (breath in and out) it goes to the lungs. So if food goes accidentally to your trachea, you choke. The epiglottis is supposed to block the trachea when eating so food doesn't go to the wrong path.
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