The esophagus is a muscular tube lined with nonkeratinizing squamous epithelium that starts as a continuation of the pharynx and ends as the cardia of the stomach. The esophagus is fixed only at its upper and lower ends, the upper end being firmly attached to the cricoid cartilage and the lower end to the diaphragm. This lack of fixation throughout its length allows the esophagus both transverse and longitudinal mobility. This mobility is important in normal esophageal function as well as pathological states, which can easily displace the esophagus or require extensive surgical mobilization for correction.