Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionConditionsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Conditions
Treatment
The esophagus is an organ that connects the back of the throat (or pharynx) with the stomach. It is the muscular channel that delivers food, liquids, and saliva to the rest of the digestive system.
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The esophagus is an organ in yourdigestive systemthat is made from layers of muscle and tissue. Its primary function is to deliver nutrition and liquid to the stomach.
Structure
The esophagus has four layers:
Importantly, the musculature of the esophagus varies as it travels downward. The upper third of this organ is primarily voluntary (striated) muscle; the middle third is a mixture of voluntary and involuntary (smooth) muscle, and the lower third is composed of only involuntary muscle.
How long is the esophagus?In fully-grown adults, the esophagus is a cylinder of approximately 9 to 10 inches or 23 to 25 centimeters (cm) in length and is generally a little over 1 inch (3 cm) in diameter.
How long is the esophagus?
In fully-grown adults, the esophagus is a cylinder of approximately 9 to 10 inches or 23 to 25 centimeters (cm) in length and is generally a little over 1 inch (3 cm) in diameter.
Location
Connecting the rear portion of the pharynx (hypopharynx) to the stomach, the esophagus runs downward, crossing into the chest and abdominal cavities.
The three parts of the esophagus are the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal segments.
Anatomical Variations
Generally speaking, variations to the esophagus’s anatomy are extremely rare. Most that do occur have to do with small variations in the length of this organ.However, significant and impactful congenital abnormalities do arise. These include:
As the upper portion of the digestive system, the esophagus’s primary role is to carry food and liquid down to the stomach.
How It Works
When you swallow, your brain activates the muscles of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), opening it up, while also stimulating others to block off the trachea.
Once material enters the esophagus, the stress placed on the walls stimulates nerve cells in them, initiating peristalsis.The esophageal muscles first relax, and then squeeze from top to bottom, pushing food down to the stomach.
The lower esophageal sphincter, at the base of the esophagus, then acts as a valve, opening to let food pass through to the stomach, but closing to prevent stomach acids from flowing upward.
Secondary Role
A secondary role of the esophagus is during vomiting when you expel food or drink from the stomach. In response to nausea, certain centers in the brain are activated, leading to retching, or dry heaving. As you do so, muscles surrounding the stomach start to contract and relax, and the lower esophageal sphincter opens up.
During the final stage of vomiting, abdominal muscles tighten to pressure the stomach, while the diaphragm contracts and opens up the esophagus.This then forces food and liquids out of the body.
Esophagus Problems
A number of conditions can impact the esophagus, ranging from the relatively mild to the much more serious. Disorders and diseases here can arise independently or be part of an underlying condition. The symptoms of esophagus problems can range from trouble swallowing to heartburn, chest pain, and chronic cough.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common esophageal conditions:
How Esophagus Problems Are Treated
Treating conditions of the esophagus means either taking on heartburn and other symptoms or going after any underlying condition that’s causing problems. Everything from lifestyle changes to surgery can be used to take on these diseases and disorders. Common treatment approaches include:
Summary
The esophagus is a long, muscular tube that carries food and liquid to your stomach. The esophagus is classified as an organ in the digestive system.
The upper esophageal sphincter opens to receive food and liquid, and muscular contractions push the food and liquid down to the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter opens to allow food and liquid to enter the stomach.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chaudhry S, Bordoni B.Anatomy, thorax, esophagus. StatPearls.National Library of Medicine.Esophagus disorders.University of Michigan Medical School.Pharynx, esophagus, and stomach: histology.Rad A, Osika A.Esophagus. Kenhub.Stanford Children’s Health.Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia.Brzački V, Mladenović B, Jeremić L., Živanović D, et al.Congenital esophageal stenosis: a rare malformation of the foregut.Nagoya J Med Sci. 2019 Nov; 81(4): 535–547. doi:10.18999/nagjms.81.4.535Sonthalia N, Jain S, Surude R, Mohite A, Rathi P.Congenital esophageal duplication cyst: a rare cause of dysphagia in an adult.Gastroenterology Res. 2016;9(4-5):79-82. doi:10.14740/gr711wHarvard Medical School.Esophageal rings and webs.Nikaki K, Sawada A, Ustaoglu A, Sifrim D.Neuronal control of esophageal peristalsis and its role in esophageal disease.Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2019;21(11):59. doi:10.1007/s11894-019-0728-zGoyal R, Mashimo H.Physiology of oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal motility.GI Motility Online.The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis.American Cancer Society.What is esophagus cancer?.Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal strictures: Symptoms, causes & treatment.Harvard Health.9 ways to relieve acid reflux without medication. Harvard Women’s Health Watch.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment.Goyal A, Chatterjee K, Yadlapati S, Singh S.Health-care utilization and complications of endoscopic esophageal dilation in a national population.Clin Endosc. 2017;50(4):366-371. doi:10.5946/ce.2016.155
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chaudhry S, Bordoni B.Anatomy, thorax, esophagus. StatPearls.National Library of Medicine.Esophagus disorders.University of Michigan Medical School.Pharynx, esophagus, and stomach: histology.Rad A, Osika A.Esophagus. Kenhub.Stanford Children’s Health.Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia.Brzački V, Mladenović B, Jeremić L., Živanović D, et al.Congenital esophageal stenosis: a rare malformation of the foregut.Nagoya J Med Sci. 2019 Nov; 81(4): 535–547. doi:10.18999/nagjms.81.4.535Sonthalia N, Jain S, Surude R, Mohite A, Rathi P.Congenital esophageal duplication cyst: a rare cause of dysphagia in an adult.Gastroenterology Res. 2016;9(4-5):79-82. doi:10.14740/gr711wHarvard Medical School.Esophageal rings and webs.Nikaki K, Sawada A, Ustaoglu A, Sifrim D.Neuronal control of esophageal peristalsis and its role in esophageal disease.Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2019;21(11):59. doi:10.1007/s11894-019-0728-zGoyal R, Mashimo H.Physiology of oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal motility.GI Motility Online.The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis.American Cancer Society.What is esophagus cancer?.Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal strictures: Symptoms, causes & treatment.Harvard Health.9 ways to relieve acid reflux without medication. Harvard Women’s Health Watch.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment.Goyal A, Chatterjee K, Yadlapati S, Singh S.Health-care utilization and complications of endoscopic esophageal dilation in a national population.Clin Endosc. 2017;50(4):366-371. doi:10.5946/ce.2016.155
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chaudhry S, Bordoni B.Anatomy, thorax, esophagus. StatPearls.National Library of Medicine.Esophagus disorders.University of Michigan Medical School.Pharynx, esophagus, and stomach: histology.Rad A, Osika A.Esophagus. Kenhub.Stanford Children’s Health.Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia.Brzački V, Mladenović B, Jeremić L., Živanović D, et al.Congenital esophageal stenosis: a rare malformation of the foregut.Nagoya J Med Sci. 2019 Nov; 81(4): 535–547. doi:10.18999/nagjms.81.4.535Sonthalia N, Jain S, Surude R, Mohite A, Rathi P.Congenital esophageal duplication cyst: a rare cause of dysphagia in an adult.Gastroenterology Res. 2016;9(4-5):79-82. doi:10.14740/gr711wHarvard Medical School.Esophageal rings and webs.Nikaki K, Sawada A, Ustaoglu A, Sifrim D.Neuronal control of esophageal peristalsis and its role in esophageal disease.Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2019;21(11):59. doi:10.1007/s11894-019-0728-zGoyal R, Mashimo H.Physiology of oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal motility.GI Motility Online.The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis.American Cancer Society.What is esophagus cancer?.Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal strictures: Symptoms, causes & treatment.Harvard Health.9 ways to relieve acid reflux without medication. Harvard Women’s Health Watch.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment.Goyal A, Chatterjee K, Yadlapati S, Singh S.Health-care utilization and complications of endoscopic esophageal dilation in a national population.Clin Endosc. 2017;50(4):366-371. doi:10.5946/ce.2016.155
Chaudhry S, Bordoni B.Anatomy, thorax, esophagus. StatPearls.
National Library of Medicine.Esophagus disorders.
University of Michigan Medical School.Pharynx, esophagus, and stomach: histology.
Rad A, Osika A.Esophagus. Kenhub.
Stanford Children’s Health.Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia.
Brzački V, Mladenović B, Jeremić L., Živanović D, et al.Congenital esophageal stenosis: a rare malformation of the foregut.Nagoya J Med Sci. 2019 Nov; 81(4): 535–547. doi:10.18999/nagjms.81.4.535
Sonthalia N, Jain S, Surude R, Mohite A, Rathi P.Congenital esophageal duplication cyst: a rare cause of dysphagia in an adult.Gastroenterology Res. 2016;9(4-5):79-82. doi:10.14740/gr711w
Harvard Medical School.Esophageal rings and webs.
Nikaki K, Sawada A, Ustaoglu A, Sifrim D.Neuronal control of esophageal peristalsis and its role in esophageal disease.Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2019;21(11):59. doi:10.1007/s11894-019-0728-z
Goyal R, Mashimo H.Physiology of oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal motility.GI Motility Online.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis.
American Cancer Society.What is esophagus cancer?.
Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal strictures: Symptoms, causes & treatment.
Harvard Health.9 ways to relieve acid reflux without medication. Harvard Women’s Health Watch.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment.
Goyal A, Chatterjee K, Yadlapati S, Singh S.Health-care utilization and complications of endoscopic esophageal dilation in a national population.Clin Endosc. 2017;50(4):366-371. doi:10.5946/ce.2016.155
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