The Food Pipe/Oesophagus

The oesophagus (also called the food pipe) is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx (throat) to the stomach. Its main job is to push food from the mouth to the stomach, where further digestion occurs.

• Length: The oesophagus is about 25 cm long.
• Location: It starts at the throat (pharynx) and ends at the stomach.
• Layers: The oesophagus has muscle layers that help move food through peristalsis (wave-like contractions).

1. Transporting food to the stomach: After chewing and swallowing, the oesophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach. It does not digest food-its only job is to transport it.
2. Peristalsis (wave-like movements): Peristalsis moves food smoothly through the oesophagus, even if you are lying down or upside down.
3. Preventing food from coming back up: At the bottom of the oesophagus is the lower esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle). This muscle opens to let food into the stomach and closes to prevent stomach acid from flowing back up into the oesophagus, which can cause heartburn.