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Overview
The trachea and esophagus run next to each other through the chest cavity. The esophagus connects to the stomach, and carries food and saliva to the stomach. The trachea connects to the lungs and carries air to the lungs.
Review Date 12/31/2023
Updated by: Mary J. Terrell, MD, IBCLC, Neonatologist, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.