食管是消化管道的一部分,上面连接咽,下面连通胃,紧贴脊柱的腹侧,具有输送食物的功能。食管在平时呈扁平状,当有食物通过时便会扩大。食物并非靠着重力落入胃中,而是由食管壁的肌肉进行波浪般蠕动,将食物推入胃中的。此外食管还会分泌一种黏液,让食物可以很容易地通过。食管若患肿瘤即为食管癌。 The esophagus is part of the digestive tract, which connects the pharynx to the upper part and connects the stomach to the lower part of the spine. The esophagus is usually flat and will expand when food passes through. Instead of falling into the stomach by gravity, food is wavy by the muscles of the esophagus and pushes the food into the stomach. In addition, the esophagus secretes a mucus that allows food to pass easily. If the esophagus suffers from a tumor, it is an esophageal cancer.