Esophagus

The **esophagus** is a muscular, tubular organ that connects the throat (pharynx) to the stomach, functioning primarily to transport food and liquids via coordinated muscular contractions called peristalsis. It contains sphincters at both its upper and lower ends to regulate the entry and exit of substances, and is composed of multiple tissue layers, including mucosa, submucosa, muscle, and connective tissue. Major diseases affecting the esophagus include GERD, esophageal cancer, strictures, and motility disorders. The esophagus itself is not a molecular target for drugs, although its diseases can be treated by agents targeting relevant pathways or processes[1][3][4][6][7][9].

Other names

Oesophagus (British spelling)