The esophagus, a tube that carries food to the stomach, is constantly being scraped as food travels through it. why does the esophagus not deteriorate through a person’s lifetime? cells can anabolize the food prior to entering the esophagus. cells are constantly dividing and replacing old or damaged cells. cells promote a fluid to build up along the esophagus to reduce friction. cells build a type of protein called enzymes that act as an armor.