Definition & Meaning of "gullet"

What is "gullet"?

The gullet, also known as the esophagus, is a muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) to the stomach. It serves as a passageway for food and liquids to travel from the mouth to the stomach during the process of swallowing. The walls of the gullet contain muscles that contract and relax in a coordinated manner, propelling the swallowed food downward through a series of muscular contractions called peristalsis. The gullet plays a crucial role in the digestive system by ensuring that food and liquids reach the stomach for further processing and absorption.