narrow muscular tube passes through thorax (chest) and connects mouth to the stomach

Walls of the oesophagus contains 2 layers of muscles. muscles are present along the whole gut from the oesophagus to the rectum.

2 layers of muscles are:

  • Longitudinal muscles on the outer side of the gut wall
  • circular muscles on the inner side of the gut wall both set of muscles produce long, slow contractions. these contractions, move food along gut via peristalsis.

Peristalsis