{"id":1795,"date":"2020-08-17T13:29:06","date_gmt":"2020-08-17T13:29:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/thorax\/mediastinum\/esophagus\/"},"modified":"2021-10-09T10:27:13","modified_gmt":"2021-10-09T08:27:13","slug":"esophagus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/thorax\/mediastinum\/esophagus\/","title":{"rendered":"Esophagus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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The esophagus is a ~25cm-long fixed muscular tube lined by mucosa connecting the pharynx to the stomach.<\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Description<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

The esophagus extends from the pharyngoesophageal<\/strong> junction at the level of the C6 vertebra down to where it meets the stomach below the level of the T10 vertebra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, the esophagus is located posterior to the trachea and heart, and anterior to the vertebral column.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

Path<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

Its location, relation to its surroundings, and the nearby structures vary greatly through its path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Initially, the esophagus deviates to the left, and along the way, down the neck, the esophagus will deviate slightly to the right<\/li>
  2. At the level of the aorta, it crosses it anteriorly behind the left atrium<\/li>
  3. 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<\/strong> at the level of T10-11 vertebra, 2 cm to the left of the midline<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

    Parts<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

    The esophagus can be divided into three parts, from top to bottom, based on its muscular structure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Skeletal muscle<\/strong> \u2014 At the cervical level<\/li>
    2. Mixed skeletal and smooth muscles<\/strong> \u2014 At the thoracic level<\/li>
    3. Smooth muscle<\/strong> \u2014 At the lower thoracic and abdominal level<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

      Constrictions<\/h3>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

      Along its path, the esophagus is pressed by other structures as it passes down; these structures create so-called constrictions<\/strong> (or angustia<\/strong>, from the Latin word ang\u014d <\/strong>which means to press together)<\/em> in the esophagus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Cervical constriction<\/strong><\/li>
      2. Thoracic constrictions<\/strong>
        1. Aortic constriction<\/strong><\/li>
        2. Bronchial constriction<\/strong><\/li><\/ol><\/li>
        3. Diaphragmatic constriction<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \n
          <\/span>\n

          Cervical constriction<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

          Also called the cricoid constriction<\/strong> (or angustia) since it\u2019s located at the level of the cricoid cartilage, and the pharyngoesophageal junction (right at the beginning of the esophagus) C6<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          It is formed by the cricopharyngeus muscle<\/strong> which creates the upper esophageal sphincter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\n

          Thoracic constrictions<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n

          Sometimes referred to as a single group constriction which is located at T3-T4:<\/p>\n\n\n\n