What is the movement of food in oesophagus?

Peristalsis is the movement of food in the oesophagus. It is a series of involuntary, coordinated muscle contractions that push food down the oesophagus and into the stomach.

Peristalsis begins when you swallow. When you swallow, your tongue pushes food into the back of your throat. This triggers the muscles in the oesophagus to contract. The contractions start at the top of the oesophagus and move down towards the stomach. Each contraction pushes the food a little bit further down the oesophagus.

The muscles in the oesophagus are very strong. They can push food down the oesophagus even if you are upside down. Peristalsis also helps to prevent food from coming back up into your mouth.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the steps of peristalsis:

1. Swallowing: When you swallow, your tongue pushes food into the back of your throat. This triggers the muscles in the oesophagus to contract.

2. Relaxation of the upper oesophageal sphincter: The upper oesophageal sphincter is a muscle that controls the opening between the pharynx (throat) and the oesophagus. When you swallow, the upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes, allowing food to pass into the oesophagus.

3. Contraction of the oesophageal muscles: The muscles in the oesophagus contract in a wave-like motion, starting at the top of the oesophagus and moving down towards the stomach. Each contraction pushes the food a little bit further down the oesophagus.

4. Closure of the lower oesophageal sphincter: The lower oesophageal sphincter is a muscle that controls the opening between the oesophagus and the stomach. When the food reaches the lower oesophageal sphincter, the sphincter relaxes, allowing the food to pass into the stomach.

Peristalsis is an important process that helps to move food from the mouth to the stomach. It is an involuntary process, so you don't have to think about it. Peristalsis also helps to prevent food from coming back up into your mouth.