What connects the mouth to the stomach?

The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. After food is chewed and swallowed, it travels down the esophagus through a series of muscular contractions known as peristalsis. This process allows the food to move efficiently into the stomach, where digestion continues.

The trachea, or windpipe, is responsible for directing air to the lungs and does not play a role in the transportation of food. The pharynx serves as a pathway for both food and air, but it is the esophagus that specifically transports food to the stomach. The intestine is further along the digestive tract and is not involved in the immediate connection between the mouth and stomach. Therefore, the esophagus is the correct answer as it is the specific passageway required for the movement of food from the mouth to the stomach.