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What route does a bolus take from the mouth to the stomach?
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digestion
The human digestive system as seen from the front.
After food is chewed and mixed with saliva in the mouth to form a bolus, it follows a specific route to the stomach:
- Pharynx: The tongue forces the bolus into the pharynx. During this process, the soft palate elevates to block the nasal cavity, and the epiglottis diverts the bolus away from the larynx.1
- Upper Esophageal Sphincter: As the bolus approaches, the cricopharyngeal muscle (upper esophageal sphincter) relaxes, allowing the mass to enter the esophagus.12
- Esophagus: Primary peristaltic contractions—rhythmic waves of muscle movement—propel the bolus down the esophagus toward the stomach.2
- Lower Esophageal Sphincter: Upon reaching the junction with the stomach, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes, allowing the bolus to enter the stomach, where it eventually mixes with gastric juices to become chyme.32