Söögitoruga

Söögitoruga, also known as the esophagus in English, is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx (throat) with the stomach. It is part of the digestive system and its primary function is to transport food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach through a process called peristalsis. Peristalsis involves wave-like muscle contractions that propel the food bolus downward.

The söögitoruga is approximately 25 centimeters (10 inches) long in adults and is located in the chest cavity, behind the trachea and heart, and in front of the spine. It passes through the diaphragm, a muscular sheet that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, before entering the stomach. The wall of the söögitoruga is composed of several layers, including a mucous membrane lining, a muscular layer, and an outer connective tissue layer.

At the upper end, the söögitoruga is surrounded by the upper esophageal sphincter, a muscular ring that normally remains closed to prevent air from entering the esophagus and food from refluxing back into the throat. At the lower end, the lower esophageal sphincter (also known as the cardiac sphincter) controls the passage of food into the stomach and prevents stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus.

Problems with the söögitoruga can lead to various conditions, such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, and esophageal cancer. Medical professionals can diagnose and treat these conditions using various methods, including endoscopy.