Esophagus

Ask Glen!

Q.How does food work in the Esophagus

A.Food does not simply drop down the esophagus by means of gravity. Things move through this passageway because they are pushed by contractions of the esophageal muscles.

Think of the esophagus (and the intestines) as an empty tube surrounded by coats of muscle that contract in a succession of waves. As the ball of food, called a bolus, travels toward the far end of the 16-inch-long tube, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens to allow the food to exit, then closes again. This esophageal tube is quite elastic, stretching to nearly two inches across to accommodate foods of various sizes.

While the esophagus is moving things along, it also has to keep things from backing up (regurgitating) and re-entering the throat. That’s where the other "gatekeeper" — the upper esophageal sphincter — comes into play. The two sphincters (upper and lower) make sure the food doesn’t back up in the wrong direction.


Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program.Please consult your physician !

Wishing You Great Health!

Glen Edward Mitchell

Any questions? Ask Glen!