| Correct! The esophagus (a tube connecting the stomach to the oral cavity at the pharynx) is a hollow tube connected to the outside world, so it needs the protection of stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium. Located behind the trachea, the epiglottis must fold over the tracheal glottis when swallowing so food will enter the correct tube. It is then moved by smooth muscle layers down to the stomach itself. This action is called peristalsis of the esophagus. Lets return to the original question. |