Where Does Digestion *Not* Occur? Understanding the Esophagus

No digestion takes place in the oesophagus, also called the food pipe. The oesophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. It is lined with mucous membranes that help to move food down to the stomach by means of muscular contractions called peristalsis. The oesophagus does not produce any enzymes or other substances to break down food, so no digestion takes place there.