Where the oesophagus is, in 3D
The oesophagus is the tube that carries swallowed food down to the stomach. It belongs to the digestive system. It continues from the pharynx and runs down behind the trachea and in front of the spine, about 25 cm long. It passes through the oesophageal hiatus of the diaphragm to join the stomach at the cardia.
Frequently asked questions
Which body system does the oesophagus belong to?
The oesophagus belongs to the digestive system. The digestive system is made up of the digestive tract running from mouth to anus (oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine) and the liver, gallbladder and pancreas, which make digestive juices and send them into the tract.
Where is the stomach?
The stomach is a pouch in the upper left of the abdomen, below the diaphragm.
Where does the oesophagus begin?
At the level of the cricoid cartilage, usually the sixth cervical vertebra, where it continues from the pharynx.
Wider view
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Related reading
- Coffee on an empty stomach after a broken night: what a study found about blood sugar
- Ultra-processed food and the gut microbiome: what the research shows, and what it doesn’t
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