This is a tube that will connect the pharynx to the stomach, allowing for the movement of food through peristalsis

Peristalsis: rhythmic muscle contractions that moves food through the digestive tract

• Peristalsis innervated by vagus nerve from parasympathetic nerves in autonomic nervous system

• Two muscle layers: Inner circular and the outer longitudinal

• Mucosa is folded with stratified squamous epithelium that expands as food moves through it

• Only skeletal muscles in ruminants(which includes bovine) for rumination

• Bovine also has a mucous membrane layer

• Also has submucosal glands

• Aka gastric groove, esophageal groove, reticular groove

• Modification in fetal calves where the cardia folds to create a tube that will go straight to the omasum, bypassing the reticulum and rumen

• Prevents curdling of the milk in fetal calves

• It is a result of suckling