The esophagus is made of what type of muscle fiber?

The esophagus is primarily composed of two types of muscle fibers: skeletal muscle and smooth muscle. The upper third contains striated (skeletal) muscle, which allows for voluntary control during swallowing. The middle third is a mix of both muscle types, while the lower third is predominantly smooth muscle, facilitating involuntary peristalsis to move food toward the stomach. This arrangement enables efficient transport of food through the esophagus.