Anatom3DThoracic oesophagus
Pars thoracica oesophagi · Hrudní část jícnu
Digestive system
Looks like
The muscular food tube running down the back of the chest, behind the heart, to pass through the diaphragm into the stomach.
What it does
Pushes swallowed food to the stomach with waves of muscle and keeps acid out with a valve at its lower end.
Keeping it well
Long-standing heartburn can change its lining (Barrett's oesophagus); smoking and heavy alcohol raise cancer risk. Food sticking on the way down, vomiting blood or weight loss needs an endoscopy soon.