What muscles is the oesophagus made up of in its three sections?

Prepare for the Plovdiv Entrance Exam. Equip yourself with comprehensive study materials, including multiple choice questions and flashcards. Ensure success in your examination!

The oesophagus uses different muscle types along its length to match swallowing control: the top portion is skeletal muscle so swallowing can be started and controlled voluntarily; the middle portion contains both skeletal and smooth muscle, reflecting a transition from voluntary to involuntary control; the bottom portion is smooth muscle, enabling automatic, rhythmic peristalsis toward the stomach. This means the first third is skeletal, the second third is skeletal and smooth, and the third third is smooth. If the arrangement were all skeletal or all smooth, or if the order were different, it would disrupt the switch from conscious initiation to automatic propulsion.