The esophagus and trachea are both behind the neck and sternum, with the trachea in front of the esophagus. The esophagus is part of the digestive system and is the passageway for food down to the stomach; it connects to the pharynx at its upper end, passes through the thoracic cavity, and connects to the stomach at its lower end. The trachea, which is part of the respiratory system, begins at the lower edge of the cricoid cartilage, travels down to the plane of the sternal angle, and then divides into the right and left main bronchi, which are the passageways for the transportation of gases during respiration. The esophagus is behind the trachea, with the epiglottis cartilage between the two, which covers the trachea when food enters the mouth from, preventing food from entering the trachea and causing life-threatening injuries. Patients with esophageal and tracheal disorders should go to the hospital for timely treatment to avoid delays that could affect their health.