What does the esophagus primarily do?

The esophagus primarily functions to transport food from the mouth to the stomach. This muscular tube plays a crucial role in the digestive process by moving swallowed food through peristaltic movements, which are coordinated muscular contractions that push the food downward, ensuring it reaches the stomach for further digestion. The esophagus does not engage in filtering blood, mechanically breaking down food, or absorbing nutrients; those processes are managed by other organs in the digestive system, such as the stomach and intestines. This clear separation of duties among the various components of the digestive system highlights the specificity of the esophagus's role in facilitating the movement of food.