Anatomy
Muscular tube, 4-12″, part of GI system (alimentary tract), connecting pharynx to stomach, continuous above with laryngeal pharynx at level C6; courses down behind trachea and heart, in front of spine, through mediastinum and on, passes through diaphragm at level T10, at which point it is continuous with stomach through a functional lower esophageal sphincter (prevents reflux of corrosive gastric contents); moves masticated bolus by peristalsis; inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle acts as functional upper esophageal sphincter, maintains top closed other than swallowing or vomiting.
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