All of the following statements concerning the esophagus are true EXCEPT

(A) The esophagus is a muscular tube, 25 cm in length that originates at the laryngopharynx and ends at the stomach

(B) The esophagus transports food from the oral cavity to the stomach by peristalsis

(C) The esophagus produces mucus and digestive enzymes to initiate the breakdown of proteins

(D) The lower esophageal sphincter muscle contracts to prevent regurgitation of gastric contents