esophagus esophagus the esophagus (american english) or oesophagus (british english, see spelling differences; both /iːˈsɒfəɡəs, ɪ-/), colloquially known also as the food pipe or gullet, is an organ in vertebrates through which food passes, aided by peristaltic contractions, from the pharynx to the stomach. the esophagus is a fibromuscular tube, about 25 cm (10 in) long in adults, that travels behind the trachea and heart, passes through the diaphragm, and empties into the uppermost region of the stomach. during swallowing, the epiglottis tilts backwards to prevent food from going down the larynx and lungs. the word oesophagus is from ancient greek οἰσοφάγος (oisophágos), from οἴσω (oísō), future form of φέρω (phérō, “i carry”) + ἔφαγον (éphagon, “i ate”). esophagusthe digestive tract, with the esophagus marked in reddetailsprecursorforegutsystemdigestive systemarteryesophageal arteriesveinesophageal veinsnervesympathetic trunk, vagusidentifierslatinoesophagusmeshd004947ta98a05.4.01.001ta22887fma7131anatomical terminology major parts of thegastrointestinal tract upper gastrointestinal tract mouth esophagus stomach duodenum lower gastrointestinal tract small intestine jejunum ileum large intestine sigmoid colon rectum anus