Final answer:
The esophagus is posterior to the trachea and connects the pharynx to the stomach, passing through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm. It conducts food to the stomach via peristaltic movements and is controlled by the gastro-esophageal sphincter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes gastroesophageal anatomy is that the esophagus runs posterior to the trachea through the mediastinum and enters the abdomen through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm. The esophagus is a muscular tube approximately 25.4 cm (10 in) in length, which connects the pharynx to the stomach. It remains in a collapsed form when not engaged in swallowing. During swallowing, peristaltic movements help the food transition from the mouth to the stomach. It is important to note that the esophagus is located posterior to the heart and lungs and traverses behind the trachea before passing through the diaphragm. Additionally, when swallowing, the gastro-esophageal sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus opens to allow food to enter the stomach and closes to prevent stomach contents from traveling back up into the esophagus.