The portion of the digestive canal between the pharnyx and stomach It is about 25cm long and consists of three parts: the cervical part, from the cricoid cartilage to the thoracic inlet; the thoracic part, from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm; and the abdominal part, below the diaphragm to the cardiac opening of the stomach
see oesophagus. the American spelling of oesophagus. Muscular tube that conveys food by peristalsis from the pharynx to the stomach. Both ends are closed off by sphincters (muscular constrictions), which relax to let food through and close to keep it from backing up. Disorders include ulceration and bleeding, heartburn from stomach acid, achalasia (failure of one or both sphincters to open), and muscle spasms. Scleroderma may involve the esophagus
That part of the alimentary canal between the pharynx and the stomach; the gullet
a soft muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach When a person swallows, the muscular walls of the esophagus contract to push food down into the stomach