Esophagus

The esophagus (American English) or oesophagus (British English), commonly known as the food pipe or gullet, is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a fibromuscular tube through which food passes, aided by peristaltic contractions, from the pharynx to the stomach. In humans, the esophagus is usually 18–25 centimetres long. During swallowing the epiglottis tilts backwards to prevent food from going down the larynx and lungs. The esophagus travels behind the trachea and heart, passes through the diaphragm and empties into the uppermost region of the stomach. The word esophagus is the Greek word for gullet.