What is the esophagus?

Esophagus anatomy 

The esophagus is a long, tube-shaped organ that plays an important role in the digestive tract. It connects the pharynx to the stomach.

The pharynx is the muscular structure that connectsTrusted Source the nose and mouth to the esophagus and larynx. It allows air to enter the larynx and lungs and food and liquids to enter the esophagus.

The esophagus is located behind the trachea and heart and in front of the spinal column. It extends into the diaphragm.

Healthcare professionals may describe the esophagus in three sectionsTrusted Source: the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal esophagus. These sections are based on their general location in the neck and diaphragm, with the cervical being the topmost section and the abdominal section being the lowest.

The average length of the esophagus is about 9 to 10 inches in adults.

At each end, a sphincter acts as a gatekeeper, allowing food to enter at the top and exit at the bottom.

Esophagus function 

The primary functionTrusted Source of the esophagus is to allow food and liquids to travel from the mouth to the stomach.

When a person starts to swallow, the food, saliva, mucus, or liquid comes into contact with the upper sphincter, known as the upper esophageal sphincter. This sphincter typically remains contracted and closed until food comes into contact with it.

When swallowing, the sphincter temporarily relaxes, allowing the food or other substances to pass through.

The muscles of the pharynx provide an initial, strong push on the bolus (chewed food), allowing it to pass through the sphincter and continue down the esophagus.

The bolus continues to travel down the esophagus in a process known as peristalsis. Peristalsis involvesTrusted Source an involuntary contraction and relaxation of circular muscles surrounding the esophagus and all portions of the digestive tract up to the anus.

If the initial push to send food to the stomach fails, secondary peristalsis kicks in to finish moving the bolus to the stomach.

At the bottom of the esophagus, the bolus reaches the lower sphincter, known as the lower esophageal sphincter. Like the upper sphincter, the lower one relaxes to allow the bolus to pass into the stomach.

The lower sphincter then returns to its contracted position, preventing stomach acid or other content from entering the lower portion of the esophagus.

What conditions affect the esophagus? 

Several conditions can affect the health of the esophagus. In some cases, a person can treat them at home with over-the-counter medications and therapies, while others, such as cancer, will require medical attention.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter does not close properlyTrusted Source, allowing stomach contents to move into the esophagus.
• Barrett’s esophagus: In people with Barrett’s esophagus, the cells of the bottom portion of the esophagus start to resembleTrusted Source intestinal cells, increasing the risk of a rare type of esophageal cancer.
• Esophageal cancer: This occurs when cells in the esophagus grow uncontrollablyTrusted Source.
• Esophageal achalasia: Doctors define esophageal achalasia as when the lower sphincter does not relax or open, which prevents food from entering the stomach.
• Eosinophilic esophagitis: In people with eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) become overabundant in the esophagus, leading to inflammation and swelling.
• Hiatal hernia: This is when the upper portion of the stomach protrudes above the opening at the top into the chest. Hiatal hernias are a leading causeTrusted Source of GERD.
• Esophageal spasms: People with esophageal spasms often experience pain when the spasms prevent or slow the progress of food to the stomach.
• Esophageal diverticulum: Healthcare professionals may refer to a bulge or pouch that occurs in a weakened section of the esophagus as esophageal diverticulum.
• Esophageal strictures: This refers to a narrowing of the esophagus that slows the progression of food and liquids to the stomach.

When to see a doctor 

A person may not need to speak with a doctor for occasional acid reflux symptoms. It is a common issue and often improves with over-the-counter medications or dietary changes. However, frequent acid reflux symptoms may mean someone has GERD.

Symptoms that may indicate a more serious issue with the esophagus can include:

• difficulty swallowing or feeling like food gets stuck in the throat
• frequent heartburn
• coughing
• unexplained weight loss
• pain when swallowing

If frequent or severe symptoms occur, a person should consider speaking with a healthcare professional. A doctor can evaluate a person’s medical history, perform exams, and order tests to determine what is causing issues with the esophagus.

Once a person receives a diagnosis, a doctor can help provide treatment and recommendations for care that may include lifestyle changes, medication, or other therapies.

Summary

The esophagus forms part of the upper section of the digestive tract. It allows food to pass from the pharynx, located at the back of the mouth, to the stomach.

Several conditions can affect the esophagus, such as GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal achalasia.

People should speak with a doctor if they experience any symptoms that may indicate issues with the esophagus, such as difficulty swallowing and frequent heartburn.