The function of the esophagus is to transport food and liquids into the stomach, where it will digest the food and the nutrients can be absorbed by the small inestine and the waste will be excreted by the large intestine.

Can the food come out from the stomach and go back into the esophagus and back to the mouth? The answer is no. The muscular layers of the esophagus are normally pinched together at both the upper and lower ends by muscles called sphincters. The sphincters allow food and liquids to pass through as it relaxes. As the food moves down, the muscles close rapidly in order not to allow the food or liquid to go back into the esophagus or even the mouth.

The next thing i will talk about will be epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis - the flap that sits at the base of the tongue, which keeps food from going into the trachea (windpipe). Due to its place in the airway, swelling of this structure can interfere with breathing and constitutes a medical emergency. The infection can cause the epiglottis to either obstruct or completely close off the windpipe. It can also be fatal if not treated immediately.

In the next post, I will talk more about epiglottitis causes and symptoms.