In anatomical directional terminology, the esophagus is <u>posterior</u> to the mouth (option d).
Explanation:
The esophagus is a tubular organ that is part of the digestive system and its function is to carry food from the mouth to the stomach. The anatomical relationship of the proximal end of the esophagus, with respect to the mouth, is posterior and inferior, its distal end also being located above the stomach.
This anatomical relationship allows the direction of food movement to be mouth → esophagus → stomach.
