Difference Between Esophagus And Trachea

Difference Between Esophagus And Trachea: Trachea and Esophagus (esophagus) are hollow, tubular structures that are present in the thoracic chamber of the human body. Both esophagus and trachea are located very close to each other but are far different in their structure and functions. The trachea is the windpipe, whereas the esophagus is the food pipe of humans. Both tubes have a lining of mucous membranes that protects them from damage.

What is Oesophagus?

Oesophagus is a narrow, hollow, 22 to 25-cm-long fibromuscular tube present in the neck region. It is a part of the digestive system. It takes food from Pharynx to the stomach and is thus also known as a ‘food pipe’. It is present behind the trachea and the heart and runs through the diaphragm up to the uppermost region of the stomach. The opening of the esophagus is known as the Gullet and it is not guarded by any Cartilagenous flap as that in the trachea.

The superior 1/3 part of the esophagus is made up of skeletal muscles and is voluntary in nature while the inferior 2/3 part of the esophagus is made up of smooth muscles and is involuntary in nature.

It is just a path for food from Pharynx to the stomach. The movement of food in the esophagus is known as Peristalsis. No digestion occurs in the esophagus due to the absence of digestive enzymes and no absorption occurs due to the presence of non-keratinized compound squamous epithelium. In the upper esophagus (above the diaphragm) Serosa (simple squamous epithelium tissue) is absent and Tunica adventitia (fibrous tissue) is present.

What is Trachea?

The trachea is a wide, hollow, cartilaginous, and 10 cm tube present in the neck. It is a part of the respiratory system. It carries air from Pharynx to the lungs and thus is also known as the ‘windpipe’. It is present anterior to the esophagus. It divides into two bronchi at the 5th thoracic vertebrae level. Opening of the trachea is known as ‘Glottis’ and is guarded by a cartilaginous flap known as ‘epiglottis’. Epiglottis is a thin, elastic Cartilaginous flap that prevents entry of food into the trachea.

It is internally lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium. It is supported by 16 to 20 C-shaped cartilaginous rings made up of Hyaline cartilage that prevents collapsing of the trachea during inspiration or Inhalation. Cartilaginous rings are C-shaped because posteriorly, support is not required due to the presence of the esophagus and vertebral column, and on the anterior side to provide support and to prevent the trachea from collapsing, these rings are present.

Differences Between Esophagus and Trachea:

Features	Esophagus	Trachea
Structure	Narrow, hollow, fibromuscular tube	Wide, hollow, cartilaginous, and 10 cm tube
Length	22 to 25 cm	10 cm
Function	Part of the digestive system and carries food from Pharynx to the stomach	Part of the respiratory system and carries air from Pharynx to the lungs
Location	Located behind the trachea and the heart	Located anterior to the esophagus
Position	Runs through the diaphragm up to the uppermost region of the stomach	Divides into two bronchi at the 5th thoracic vertebrae level
Opening	The opening is known as the Gullet, not guarded by any cartilaginous flap	Opening known as ‘Glottis’, guarded by a cartilaginous flap called ‘epiglottis’
Connective tissue	Superior 1/3 made up of skeletal muscles, voluntary Inferior 2/3 made up of smooth muscles, involuntary	Internally lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium
Specific features	In the upper esophagus, serosa is absent, and tunica adventitia (fibrous tissue) is present	Supported by 16 to 20 C-shaped cartilaginous rings made up of hyaline cartilage prevents collapsing during inspiration or inhalation

FAQs on Esophagus And Trachea

Q1: What are the Esophagus and the Trachea?

Answer:

The esophagus and the trachea are two tubes that connect the mouth and the nose to the stomach and the lungs, respectively. The esophagus is part of the digestive system and carries food and liquids to the stomach. The trachea is part of the respiratory system and carries air to the lungs.

Q2: Where are the Esophagus and the Trachea Located?

Answer:

The esophagus and the trachea are located in the neck and chest regions of the body. The esophagus continues behind the trachea and passes through the diaphragm (a muscle that separates the chest and abdomen) to reach the stomach. The trachea branches into two smaller tubes called bronchi that enter each lung.

Q3: How are the Esophagus and the Trachea different in structure?

Answer:

The esophagus and the trachea have different structures. The esophagus is a muscular tube that can contract and relax to push food and liquids along. The trachea is a rigid tube that has rings of cartilage that prevent it from collapsing. It is internally lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium.

Q4: How are the Esophagus and the trachea different in function?

Answer:

The esophagus and the trachea have different functions that relate to digestion and respiration. The esophagus transports food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. The trachea transports air from the nose or mouth to the lungs.