What process involves waves of muscular contractions that push food through the esophagus?

The process that involves waves of muscular contractions pushing food through the esophagus is known as peristalsis. This mechanism is crucial for moving food from the mouth, through the esophagus, and into the stomach. Peristalsis consists of coordinated contractions of the smooth muscles in the walls of the digestive tract, which create a wave-like motion that effectively propels food along.

In contrast, digestion refers to the biochemical processes that break down food into smaller components, while absorption is the process of taking up those nutrients into the bloodstream after digestion has occurred. Swallowing is the act of moving food from the mouth to the esophagus but does not involve the ongoing contractions that characterize peristalsis. Therefore, peristalsis is the correct term for this specific movement of food through the esophagus.