The esophagus is a ~25cm-long fixed muscular tube lined by mucosa connecting the pharynx to the stomach.
Description
The esophagus extends from the pharyngoesophageal junction at the level of the C6 vertebra down to where it meets the stomach below the level of the T10 vertebra.
Generally, the esophagus is located posterior to the trachea and heart, and anterior to the vertebral column.
Path
Its location, relation to its surroundings, and the nearby structures vary greatly through its path.
- Initially, the esophagus deviates to the left, and along the way, down the neck, the esophagus will deviate slightly to the right
- At the level of the aorta, it crosses it anteriorly behind the left atrium
- Next, the esophagus deviates to the left, passing through the esophageal hiatus in the diaphragm at T9-10, meeting the stomach at the esophagogastric junction at the level of T10-11 vertebra, 2 cm to the left of the midline
Parts
The esophagus can be divided into three parts, from top to bottom, based on its muscular structure:
- Skeletal muscle — At the cervical level
- Mixed skeletal and smooth muscles — At the thoracic level
- Smooth muscle — At the lower thoracic and abdominal level
Constrictions
Along its path, the esophagus is pressed by other structures as it passes down; these