When food is chewed, it is transported to which part of the GI tract?

The correct answer is the pharynx. After food is chewed in the mouth, it forms a soft mass known as a bolus. This bolus is then pushed to the back of the mouth and into the pharynx, which serves as a pathway for both food and air. The pharynx connects the mouth to the esophagus and also the nasal cavity to the larynx, seamlessly facilitating the transition from ingestion to swallowing.

From the pharynx, the bolus is then directed into the esophagus, which is the next part of the gastrointestinal tract that transports the food to the stomach. This step is crucial because the pharynx acts as a junction that handles the passage of food while also allowing air to flow through the airway when breathing.

Understanding the role of the pharynx is essential in recognizing the coordinated actions that occur when swallowing and the importance of each section in the GI tract.