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The esophagus is a hollow, muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach using the act of propelling.

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Shockingly people can live without an esophagus as many get an esophagectomy. This procedure removes some or all of the esophagus and reconstructs it using a different organ (mostly the stomach)

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Most common problem with the esophagus is acid reflux which occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter opens when its not supposed to. This allows the stomach acid and digestive juices to come back into the esophagus leading to heartburn and inflammation

Another example is Gastroesophageal reflux disease which is a more severe form of acid reflux. The stomach acid will actually persistently flow back into the esophagus which can create a cough, chest pain, and trouble swelling. Overtime it can severely damage the esophagus.

Esophagitis: Inflamaation and irrational of the esophagus lining which can lead to reflux, infection and vomiting

Achalasia : rare disease where the lower sphincter doesn’t open when its supposed to and prevents food from going to the stomach

Esophageal diverticulum: pouch that bulges out in a weak part of the lining causing you to be unable to swallow.

Esophageal varices: Large swollen veins in the lining of the esophagus which can be fatal if they burst.

Barrets esophagus: change in the tissue lining of the lower esophagus.

Esophageal cancer: although very rare two types of cancer can come from the esophagus adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

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At the opening of the upper esophagus is the esophageal sphincter that sensed when food or liquid is coming in order to relax or open. Once the food has entered the muscle contractions or peristalsis push the food down to the lower esophagus. The opening of the lower esophagus is called the lower esophageal sphincter and it also senses when food and liquid are coming to relax or open.