As you swallow a little sphincter like thing called an epiglottis blocks you windpipe, or breathing tube, so that the food will travel down your throat (pharynx) and through your esophagus. The esophagus is about ten inches long, little ripples will then send the boluses down into your stomach. These ripples refer to peristalsis. Peristalsis takes around 2-3 seconds to occur and now your food is in your stomach.