The esophagus is a ~25 centimeters long muscular tube connecting the throat and stomach. It is lined by moist pink tissue known as mucosa. Anatomically, the esophagus runs in front of the spine and behind the trachea (windpipe) and the heart. The muscles in the esophagus help to move the food we eat to the stomach with its contractions. There are two bands of muscle, one at the top of the esophagus called the upper esophageal sphincter and one slightly above the stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter. When a person eats, these muscles relax to pass the food to the stomach and when not in use, they remain contracted to prevent the flow of food and stomach acid back up the esophagus.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder that occurs when the stomach juice like acids and food contents frequently reflux back into the esophagus which is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
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