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Oesophagus

Oesophagus.

The oesophagus is approximately 25 centimetres long and surrounded by spiral-shaped muscles that push the food down into the stomach. The muscles contract and relax automatically. This is how the muscles work in the entire gastrointestinal tract, except for the very last bit which you can read more about when you come to the end of the food’s journey.

It takes about 10 seconds from when you swallow to when the food reaches the stomach. Liquids move even faster.

Did you know that:

  • At the back of your mouth you find the uvula, which is there to prevent food from going up into your nose. 
  • Around the oesophagus, there is a spiral-formed muscle that pushes the food down into the stomach.