Esophagus

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/esophagus

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the histological layers?Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and adventitia
2. What is the muscularis externa composition?Upper third skeletal muscle, lower two-thirds smooth muscle
3. What is the esophagus and how long is it in adults?The esophagus is a tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. In adults it is about 25 cm (10 inches) long.
4. How does food move through the esophagus?Muscles in the esophagus squeeze in waves called peristalsis to push the food down toward the stomach.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium: A protective lining of cells that resists abrasion from ingested materials.
Peristalsis: Rhythmic, wave-like muscular contractions that propel contents through tubular organs.