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The esophagus (also spelled oesophagus/œsophagus, Greek ), or gullet is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. The esophagus is continuous with the laryngeal part of the pharynx at the level of the C6 vertebra.
Food is passed through the esophagus by using the process of peristalsis. Specifically, in mammals, it connects the pharynx, which is the body cavity that is common to the digestive system and respiratory system behind the mouth, with the stomach, where the second stage of digestion is initiated (the first stage of digestion is in the mouth, with teeth and tongue masticating food and mixing it with saliva).
The esophagus is lined with mucous membrane, and is more deeply lined with muscle that acts with peristaltic action to move swallowed food down to the stomach.
The layers of the esophagus are as follows:[1]
The junction between the esophagus and the stomach (the gastroesophageal junction or GE junction) is not actually considered a valve, although it is sometimes called the cardiac sphincter, cardia or cardias, but is actually more of a stricture.
The word "esophagus" is the result of the "o" being dropped from the oe (or œ) in "oesophagus". It derives from Greek; hiοiσω -oeso, future tense of the verb φερω-to bring and from the verb έφαγον,-phagus, past tense of τρώγω-to eat.
Many people experience acid reflux, where stomach acid gets pushed up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation, commonly termed heartburn. Extended exposure to heartburn may erode the lining of the esophagus, leading to a potentially cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus.
Some people also experience a sensation known as globus esophagus, where it feels as if a ball is lodged in the lower part of the esophagus.
The following are additional diseases and conditions that affect the esophagus:
<gallery> Image:Esophagus_path.jpg|H&E stain of biopsy of normal esophagus showing the stratified squamous cell epithelium Image:Illu esophageal layers.jpg |Layers of the esophagus. Image:Mid_esophageal_mass.jpg|Mid esophageal mass Image:Illu stomach2.jpg|Stomach Image:Digestive system showing bile duct.png|Accessory digestive system. Image:Illu dige tract.jpg|Organs of the digestive tract. Image:Gray384.png|Section of the neck at about the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Image:Gray503.png|Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery. Image:Gray994.png|Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx. Image:Gray1032.png |The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind. | Image:Gray1033.png|Section of the human esophagus. Moderately magnified. Image:Gastro-esophageal jxn.JPG|Microscopic shot of a cross section of human gastro-esophageal junction wall. </gallery>