Question

Why does the walls of oesophagus secret mucus or slimy substance

Answer 1

The bolus which is chewed food from the mouth moves down to the esophagus through peristaltic movements of the circular and the longitudinal muscles of the thorax.

There are gland cells that are present in the innermost layer and at the sub-mucosa of the oesophagus. These gland cells produce a slimy mucous-like substance. These secretions help in lubricating and in pushing down the food smoothly so that it reaches the gut easily.

Answer 2

Oesophagus is a long masculine tube that connects the mouth and the stomach and it is part of the digestive system.

The mucus producing layer of the Oesophagus is the submucosa which contains glands that produce mucus to keep the Oesophagus moist.

The moisture provided by the mucus enables food to be swallowed smoothly and passed smoothly to the stomach. This happens in the mucosa layer of the Oesophagus.