The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. It plays a crucial role in the digestive system by facilitating the movement of food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.

Function of the Oesophagus

The main function of the oesophagus is to transport food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. It accomplishes this by a series of muscular contractions called peristalsis, which moves the food along the length of the tube.

Anatomy of the Oesophagus

The oesophagus is a muscular tube that is approximately 25 cm long. It begins at the lower end of the pharynx, or throat, and ends at the upper part of the stomach. The walls of the oesophagus are made up of several layers of muscle, including an outer layer of longitudinal muscle and an inner layer of circular muscle.

The oesophagus contains two sphincters, or muscular rings, which help to control the flow of food and liquids. The upper oesophageal sphincter is located at the top of the tube, where it connects to the pharynx. The lower oesophageal sphincter is located at the bottom of the tube, where it connects to the stomach.

Common Oesophageal Disorders

There are several disorders that can affect the oesophagus, including:

- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Oesophageal cancer
- Achalasia
- Hiatal hernia

Conclusion

In summary, the oesophagus plays a vital role in the digestive system by transporting food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. It accomplishes this through a series of muscular contractions called peristalsis. Proper function of the oesophagus is essential for maintaining good digestive health.

Oesophagus is also called Food pipe.It connects mouth and stomach.On swallowing food ,food passes through this pipe and gets squeezed.It helps food to reach stomach.I n adults it is 25cm long...!!