AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -What is the esophagus? The esophagus is the hollow, muscular tube that passes food and liquid from your throat to your stomach. It functions as part of your digestive system.

Detailed explanation-2: -The esophagus is a collapsible muscular tube that serves as a passageway between the pharynx and stomach. As it descends, it is posterior to the trachea and anterior to the vertebral column. It passes through an opening in the diaphragm, called the esophageal hiatus, and then empties into the stomach.

Detailed explanation-3: -The pharynx runs from the nostrils to the esophagus and the larynx. A short tube of skeletal muscle lined with a mucous membrane, the pharynx runs from the posterior oral and nasal cavities to the opening of the esophagus and larynx.

Detailed explanation-4: -Between the esophagus and the stomach is a critically important valve, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Over time, the LES may begin to fail, leading to acid and chemical damage of the esophagus, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Detailed explanation-5: -The pharynx, or throat, is the passageway leading from the mouth and nose to the esophagus and larynx. The pharynx permits the passage of swallowed solids and liquids into the esophagus, or gullet, and conducts air to and from the trachea, or windpipe, during respiration.