Trachea vs. Esophagus | What is the Difference?
The trachea and esophagus are two important structures in the human body, but they serve different purposes. The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tube that carries air to and from the lungs. It is made up of rings of cartilage that help keep it open and prevent it from collapsing. On the other hand, the esophagus is a muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. It does not have cartilage rings like the trachea, but its walls are lined with muscles that help push food down towards the stomach through a process called peristalsis. In summary, the trachea is responsible for breathing, while the esophagus is responsible for swallowing and digestion.