Gullets, in the context of anatomy or biology, refer to the narrow passage or canal that connects the mouth to the stomach in animals, particularly in humans and other mammals. It serves as a part of the digestive system, allowing food and liquids to pass from the mouth, through the throat, and into the stomach for further digestion.
The gullet, also known as the esophagus or the food pipe, is a muscular tube lined with a mucus membrane. The walls of the gullet contract and relax in a coordinated manner, utilizing smooth muscle contractions called peristalsis, which helps push the food from the mouth downwards and into the stomach.
When swallowing, the epiglottis, a flap of tissue located at the base of the tongue, prevents food from entering the windpipe and lungs by covering the opening of the trachea. This ensures that the food travels down only into the gullet and onwards to the stomach.
Disorders or conditions affecting the gullet can cause difficulties in swallowing, known as dysphagia. This can occur due to various factors, such as inflammation, obstructions, or muscular disorders.
In summary, gullets are the muscular passages that connect the mouth and stomach in animals, enabling the ingestion and digestion of food.
