The esophagus is a musculomembranous passage about 10 inches long, lined with a mucous membrane. It leads from the pharynx through the chest to the upper end of the stomach.

Its function is to complete the act of swallowing. The involuntary movement of material down the esophagus is carried out by the process known as peristalsis, which is the wavelike action produced by contraction of the muscular wall. This is the method by which food is moved throughout the alimentary canal.