A muscular tube that conducts food and liquid from the throat to the stomach.
Structure
The esophagus is about 25 centimeters long in adults and runs from the base of the pharynx, behind the trachea, through the thorax, and through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm to enter the stomach.
Layers
Its wall has four layers: an inner mucosa lined with stratified squamous epithelium, a submucosa with mucous glands, a muscularis layer that transitions from skeletal to smooth muscle, and an outer adventitia.
Function
Swallowed material is propelled by peristalsis, a wave of muscle contraction that takes 5 to 10 seconds to deliver a bolus to the stomach. Upper and lower esophageal sphincters guard each end against backflow.
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Esophagus starts with E and ends with S. Browse other body parts along the same letter.
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