The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. It plays a crucial role in the digestive system by transporting food and liquids that we swallow. When you eat, the esophagus contracts in a wave-like motion, pushing the food down into the stomach where digestion begins. This tube is about 10 inches long in adults and is lined with a moist tissue called mucosa. The esophagus also has a special ring of muscle at its lower end, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, which helps prevent stomach contents from flowing back up into the throat.