Virtual Chicken: The Esophagus

Summary

The chicken's esophagus is a thin-walled tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach. It functions through a series of reflexive movements during the pharyngeal phase, including the closure of the glottis and tongue movement. The esophagus is divided into two sections: cervical (near the beak) and thoracic (near the crop). Its walls consist of four layers and are lined with epithelium containing mucous glands, which are more prominent in the thoracic region. Food movement is facilitated by nerve stimulation from the myenteric plexus, rather than by muscle contractions alone.

Takeaways

• 😀 The chicken's esophagus is a thin-walled, expansive tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach.
• 😀 The esophagus plays a crucial role in moving food through the pharynx to the stomach during swallowing.
• 😀 The Koenig reflex is triggered as food moves toward the back of the tongue, helping close the pharynx during swallowing.
• 😀 The esophagus has four layers: mucosal, submucosal, muscle tunic, and serosal, with smooth muscle cells in the serosal layer.
• 😀 The esophagus of birds is divided into two sections: the cervical (near the beak) and the thoracic (near the crop).
• 😀 The epithelium lining the esophagus contains mucous glands that are more abundant in the thoracic region than the cervical region.
• 😀 The cervical region of the esophagus lacks mucous glands, while the thoracic region contains numerous mucous glands.
• 😀 The esophagus in birds allows them to swallow food whole, which is essential for their digestion.
• 😀 Food is moved through the esophagus through the excitement of the myenteric plexus nerves, rather than through muscle contractions alone.
• 😀 The pharyngeal phase of swallowing involves the closing of the infundibular mound and glottis, aiding in food passage to the esophagus.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the chicken's esophagus?

The primary function of the chicken's esophagus is to transport food from the mouth and pharynx to the stomach.

What are the four layers of the chicken's esophagus?

The four layers of the chicken's esophagus are the mucosal layer, submucosal layer, muscle tunic, and serosal layer.

What type of muscle is present in the esophageal walls of chickens?

The esophageal walls of chickens contain only smooth muscle cells.

How is food moved through the chicken's esophagus?

Food is moved through the chicken's esophagus by the excitation of the myenteric plexus nerve, rather than by muscle contraction alone.

What is the role of the myenteric plexus in the chicken's esophagus?

The myenteric plexus plays a crucial role in moving food through the esophagus by stimulating nerve activity.

What happens during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing in chickens?

During the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, the glottis and infundibular mound close, the tongue moves backward, and the esophagus moves forward to decrease the distance between the oral cavity and esophagus.

What are the two sections of the chicken's esophagus?

The two sections of the chicken's esophagus are the cervical section, located near the beak, and the thoracic section, located near the crop.

Where are mucous glands located in the chicken's esophagus?

Mucous glands are more numerous in the thoracic region of the chicken's esophagus, and are absent in the cervical region.

What is the function of the mucous glands in the chicken's esophagus?

The mucous glands in the chicken's esophagus help to lubricate and protect the esophageal lining during the movement of food.

Why is the esophagus of a chicken described as 'expansive'?

The esophagus of a chicken is described as 'expansive' because it can stretch and accommodate food as it is transported to the stomach.