Esophagus

The esophagus is the first part of the digestive tract.  It begins just inferior to the pharynx, where the digestive and respiratory tracks separate into the esophagus posteriorly and the larynx and trachea anteriorly.  The esophagus is a muscular tube that runs through the mediastinum of the thorax and passes through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm m.