Oesophagus and Trachea Differences
Human physiology is a fascinating subject where students can learn about different organs and systems. These organs are parts of different systems inside the body having specific functions. The complex organ systems need to be properly understood so that you can easily find out the functions of these systems and the individual organs. Sometimes it becomes confusing as two or more organs are present in the same section of a human body. In fact, a part of the organ looks similar to the other if not properly differentiated. One such confusion arises between the food pipe and the windpipe. The difference between the windpipe and food pipe should be properly studied so that you can understand their functions and can locate them in the different organ systems. The food pipe is a part of the digestive system. It starts from the mouth and ends in the stomach, the first digestive organ of our body. Similarly, the windpipe exists right behind the food pipe. It starts below the nose, carries on to the lungs in a bifurcated way forming bronchi. Let us study the difference first to grab the concept well.
What is a Food pipe or Oesophagus?
The first step is to understand the organs individually. The food pipe, also called as oesophagus, is a pipe-like structure present in the digestive canal. It begins from the mouth and ends in the stomach. After mastication, the food bolus is swallowed with the help of our tongue. This food bolus then travels down a pipe before reaching the stomach. This is the first difference between the trachea and oesophagus. Oesophagus carries food to the stomach.
This pipe is made of a muscular lumen that carries the food bolus by performing the peristaltic movement. This movement occurs when periodic constriction and relaxation of the muscles occur involuntarily. The food then reaches the stomach. An interesting fact about the peristaltic movement is that one can eat and swallow food even if he is upside down or without gravity.
What is the Trachea?
The trachea is comparatively smaller than oesophagus and is guarded by semicircular (C-shaped) cartilages. This is also called a windpipe as it carries inhaled air to the lungs and exhaled air to the nostrils. This pipe is responsible to carry air and is situated right in front of the oesophagus. In the windpipe, there is no peristaltic movement as it has to carry air inside and outside. The trachea begins in the larynx region to the lungs. Before entering the lungs, the trachea bifurcates into two bronchi. This pipe extends in the thoracic and cervical region. This is another difference between windpipe and food pipe as oesophagus extends in the thoracic, abdominal, and cervical parts of the body.
As you can understand the trachea is a part of the respiratory system. Breathing is necessary throughout the day for the entire life. This is why the trachea is guarded with C-shaped cartilages to maintain its shape. It can get collapsed during sleeping or from an injury. To maintain rhythmic breathing, protecting the windpipe is absolutely necessary.
Why should you study the difference between Trachea and Esophagus?
Now that you have understood the meaning of the terms from the description given above, you have partially clarified your doubts. This is where tabulating the difference between the trachea and esophagus will totally resolve your queries and help you concentrate on the concept. The experts of Vedantu have prepared the difference table in such a way that you can find the respective features of both the pipes present very close to each other in a human body.
The best way to study the differences is by referring to the food pipe and windpipe diagram in the book. Check every physical feature of the windpipe and food pipe mentioned in the table of differences and try to find out in the image. It will help you understand how both the pipes differ from each other. The experts have used basic language to simplify the concepts in order to make the students understand the difference between trachea and oesophagus.
Why prefer using Vedantu’s difference between Windpipe Food Pipe?
The experts are highly experienced in teaching biology to the students. They know where the students might have confusion and how to make them understand. The prime aim is to differentiate both windpipe food pipe in such a way that the students can easily identify them and right the features. The differences are framed in a tabular way so that the students can study, understand, memorize, and prepare for the exam well.
FAQs on Difference Between Esophagus and Trachea
1. What is the main difference between the esophagus and the trachea?
The primary difference lies in their function and the body system they belong to. The esophagus, or food pipe, is a muscular tube that is part of the digestive system; its role is to transport food from the pharynx to the stomach. The trachea, or windpipe, is a cartilaginous tube that is part of the respiratory system; its function is to carry air to and from the lungs.
2. Where are the esophagus and trachea located in relation to each other?
In the neck and chest, the trachea is located anterior (in front of) the esophagus. The esophagus runs directly behind the trachea, connecting the throat to the stomach. This close positioning is why a flap called the epiglottis is crucial to direct food and air into the correct passages.
3. Why is the trachea made of C-shaped cartilage rings while the esophagus is not?
The structural difference is directly related to their functions. The trachea's C-shaped cartilaginous rings provide rigidity and support, ensuring the airway remains permanently open for continuous breathing. The esophagus, on the other hand, is a muscular and collapsible tube. It does not need to be constantly open; its muscular walls contract in a wave-like motion called peristalsis to actively push food towards the stomach.
4. What is the role of the epiglottis in coordinating the function of the esophagus and trachea?
The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap of cartilage located at the base of the tongue. Its critical function is to act as a switch between the esophagus and the trachea. During swallowing, the epiglottis folds down to cover the entrance of the larynx and trachea, preventing food and liquids from entering the airway. This ensures that the food bolus is directed exclusively into the esophagus.
5. How are the inner linings of the esophagus and trachea adapted for their specific roles?
The inner linings (epithelium) of the two tubes are highly specialized.
- The esophagus is lined with stratified squamous epithelium, which is thick and durable to protect it from abrasion caused by the passage of food.
- The trachea is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, which contains goblet cells. These cells produce mucus to trap dust and debris, while the cilia (tiny hair-like projections) sweep the mucus upwards and away from the lungs.
6. What happens physiologically when food "goes down the wrong pipe"?
When food or liquid accidentally enters the trachea instead of the esophagus, it is called aspiration. This triggers a strong, protective cough reflex. The body's immediate response is to forcefully contract the respiratory muscles to expel the foreign material from the airway and prevent it from reaching the lungs, which could otherwise lead to choking or a lung infection like pneumonia.
7. Is there a difference between the spelling 'esophagus' and 'oesophagus'?
No, there is no biological difference. Both terms refer to the same digestive organ, the food pipe. The variation is purely linguistic: 'esophagus' is the standard spelling in American English, while 'oesophagus' is the standard spelling in British English. Both are considered correct.
