Question

Which of the following describes the muscular organ that processes food material into increasingly smaller pieces, mixes it with saliva to create a bolus, and creates a barrier to transport food into the esophagus?

A) pharynx

B) tongue

C) diaphragm

D) stomach

Answer 1

The pharynx is the muscular organ responsible for processing the food into a bolus, mixing it with saliva, and ensuring its transport into the esophagus through peristalsis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The muscular organ that processes food material into increasingly smaller pieces, mixes it with saliva to create a bolus, and creates a barrier to transport food into the esophagus is known as the pharynx. The mouth, including the teeth and the tongue, starts the process of mechanical digestion, while saliva initiates chemical digestion.

The bolus is then moved to the pharynx, where it is propelled into the esophagus through peristalsis, a series of wave-like muscle contractions. The pharynx also has an important role in preventing food from entering the nasal cavity by closing off the nasopharynx during swallowing.