How does the gullet digest food?

The gullet, also known as the esophagus or oesophagus, does not digest food. Its primary function is to facilitate the passage of food from the mouth to the stomach. Digestion begins in the mouth with chewing and the action of saliva but takes place primarily in the stomach and small intestine.

Here's a brief description of the role of the esophagus in digestion:

1. Swallowing: When you swallow, the muscles in the back of your throat contract, propelling the swallowed food into the esophagus.

2. Esophageal Peristalsis: The esophagus has muscles that generate rhythmic, coordinated contractions called peristalsis. These contractions create wave-like movements that propel the food downward toward the stomach.

3. Sphincters: The esophagus has two sphincter muscles, the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The UES relaxes during swallowing to allow food to enter the esophagus and then closes to prevent food from returning to the mouth. The LES relaxes to allow food to pass into the stomach and then contracts to prevent backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus.

4. Transport of Food: As peristaltic waves travel down the esophagus, they propel the food toward the stomach. The movement of food through the esophagus is relatively quick and takes only a few seconds.

It's important to note that the esophagus primarily functions as a muscular tube that transports food to the stomach. While the mouth, stomach, and small intestine are the main sites for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, the esophagus plays a vital role in initiating the process by facilitating the transport of food from the mouth to the stomach.