Final answer:
A bolus of food moves from the mouth into the pharynx before entering the esophagus during swallowing. This pathway ensures the bolus is properly directed away from the respiratory tract and towards the stomach for digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
When swallowing, a bolus of food moves from the mouth into the pharynx before reaching the esophagus. During the process of swallowing, various anatomical structures function to ensure the food is directed properly. The soft palate and uvula rise to close the entrance to the nasopharynx, while the larynx elevates, and the epiglottis folds over the glottis, effectively preventing the bolus from entering the trachea and directing it towards the esophagus. The esophagus is a muscular tube that carries the bolus from the pharynx to the stomach. Peristalsis, a wave-like muscular movement, then propels the bolus down the esophagus to continue the digestion process.