Anatomy and Physiology of Esophagus Flashcards
During swallowing the UES moves upwards approximately
A. 0.5cm
B. 1 cm
C. 1.5 cm
D. 2 cm
Ans B - 1cm
Shackleford 8e Pg 2
Which of the following does not provide innervation to the UES?
A. IX cranial nerve
B. X cranial nerve
C. XI cranial nerve
D. XII cranial nerve
Ans C - XI cranial nerve.
the innervation to the UES is mainly provided by the vagus and to lesser extent by XI and XII cranial nerve.
Shackleford 8e Pg 2.
which of the following is not one of the 3 main phases of swallowing?
A. Oral
B. Pharyngeal
C. Hypopharyngeal
D. Esophageal
Ans - C - Hypopharyngeal.
Depending on the author esophageal swallowing can be described in 3-6 different phases.
Three main phases are often differentiated as oral, pharyngeal and esophageal.
Shackleford 8e Pg 2
Which of the following is not involved in the first step of the bolus formation during swallowing?
A. Soft palate
B. Posterior aspect of tongue
C. Hard Palate
D. None of the above
Ans C - Hard palate
in the oral phase, the tongue, the soft palate and hard palate and closed glossopalatal area form a bolus.
The first step of bolus formation is performed by soft palate and posterior aspect of the tongue. The second component of the oral phase is the upward movement of the soft palate towards the hard palate, closing the nasopharynx and the upward swing of the hyoid bone more ventrally.
Shackleford 8e Pg 2
which of the following is voluntarily performed during swallowing
A. Oral phase
B. Pharyngeal Phase
C. Esophageal Phase
D. None of the above
Ans A - oral phase is voluntary.
Shackleford 8e Pg 2
the most important part of the swallowing process is ?
A. upward movement of the soft palate closing the nasopharynx
B. bolus propelled through the glossopalatal area thus representing the transition from the voluntary oral to the involuntary pharyngeal phase
C. well coordinated closure of the airway during the passage of the bolus
D. movement of the bolus across the UES
Ans C -
In health the most important part of the swallowing process is the well coordinated closure of the airway during the passage of the bolus.
Nasopharyngeal area is closed by the soft palate and posterior pharyngeal wall. The muscles of the floor of the mouth pull the hyoid bone and subsequently the larynx and cricoid anteriorly and upward, thus allowing the epiglottis to flip downward and close off the airways.
Shackleford 8e Pg 2
during the swallowing process the UES is relaxed for an average of
A. 0.5s
B. 1s
C. 1.5s
D. 2s
Ans B - 1s
Shackleford 8e Pg 2.
Average length of the esophagus in an adult is?
A. 40cm
B. 15cm
C. 20cm
D. 25cm
Ans D - 25cm.
Esophageal length is anatomically defined as the distance between the cricoid cartilage (C6) and the gastric orifice (T11)
Ranges from 22 to 28cm. (24cm +/- 5 cm)
Shackleford 7e Pg 10.
what length of the esophagus is usually present in the abdomen
A. 0-2cm
B. 2-4cm
D. 3-6 cm
E. 5-7cm
Ans C - 3-6cm
Shackleford 7e Pg 10.
which of the following is not a deviation along the esophagus?
A. base of the neck to the left
B. at level of T7 to the right
C. in front of the sixth cervical vertebra to the left
D. at the EGJ to the left
Ans C - in front of the 6th cervical vertebra - this is the level at which the esophagus begins.
Base of the neck to the left - 1st minor deviation
At the level of the 7th thoracic vertebra to the right - 2nd minor deviation
At the EGJ - to the left - 3rd minor deviation.
Shackleford 7e Pg9
Siewert divided the esophagus based on the lymphatic flow with the transition point at ?
A. Arch of aorta
B. Tracheal Bifurcation
C. T8
D. Thoracic inlet
Ans B - tracheal bifurcation - is the partition line between lymphatic flow toward caudad and cephalad.
Shackleford 7e Pg 9
Thoracic duct crosses the esophagus at? A. From left to right at level of T6 B. From right to left at level of T6 C. From left to right at level of T5 D. From right to left at level of T5
Ans D - from right to left at the level of T4-T5.
Shackleford 7e Pg 9
The esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm lies at the level of
A. T7
B. T8
C. T9
D. T10
Ans D - T10
Shackleford 7e Pg 9
which of the following has the narrowest diameter in GIT
A. Cricopharyngeal constriction at UES
B. GEJ
C. Sigmoid Colon
D. Anal canal
Ans A - Cricopharyngeal constriction at the UES is the narrowest part of the GIT, with a diameter of 1.5cm, whereas the overall diameter of the esophagus is 2.5cm.
The esophagus is flattened in the cervical and abdominal parts due to the surrounding structures and positive intra-abdominal pressure, whereas it is more rounded in the thoracic part.
Shackleford 8e Pg 31.
Diameter of the lower esophagus is ?
A. 1.6cm
B. 2.0cm
C. 2.5cm
D. 3cm
Ans C - 2.5 cm
at rest the esophagus is collapsed, it forms a soft muscular tube that is flat in its upper and middle parts presenting a diameter between 1.6cm and 2.5cm.
The lower esophagus is rounded and has a diameter of 2.5 to 2.4cm.
Shackleford 7e Pg 10.
which of the following is not a supporting structure to the esophagus?
A. Gastrosplenic ligament
B. Phrenicogastric ligament
C. Phrenicoleinal liagement
D. Phrenicocolic ligament
Ans D - phrenicocolic ligament
upper end of the esophagus obtains firm anchorage by the insertion of its longitudinal muscles into the cartilaginous structures of hypopharynx by the cricoesophageal tendon.
the circular muscles of the esophagus are stabilized by their continuity with the inferior laryngeal constrictor muscles, which insert into the sphenoid bone.
Tiny membranes connect the esophagus with the trachea, bronchi, pleura and prevertebral fascia.
The lower end attached to the Phreno-esophageal membranes (Mobile) and gastrosplenic, phrenicogastric and phrenicoleinal ligaments and lesser ommentum (Tight).
Shackleford 7e Pg 13.
during swallowing the esophagus may move in vertical direction for a length of approximately?
A. 1 vertebral body
B. 1 cm
C. 1 inch
D. 1 mm
Ans A - 1 vertebral body
swallows may result in excursion over as much as the height of one vertebral body.
Shackleford 7e Pg 15.
which of the following statements is false?
A. Pretracheal space is limited distally by the strong fibrous tissue of the pericardium
B. Most of the instrumental perforation during UGIE lead to flow of contents in the pretracheal space
C. The prevertebral space extends from the base of the skull to the diaphragm
D. prevertebral space is formed by the Buccopharyngeal fascia spreading downwards via a sheath that separates the esophageal tissue from the prevertebral fascia.
Ans B - most of the instrumental perforations during UGIE lead to flow of contents into the prevertebral space and not the pretracheal space.
Shackleford 7e Pg 15.
Morgagni Hernia is more commonly seen on -
A. Right Posterolateral aspect
B. RIght Anteromedial Aspect
C. Left Posterolateral aspect
D. Left Anteromedial aspect
Ans C - Right Anteromedial aspect.
Morgagni Hernia is more common on the Right Anteromedial aspect, whereas the Bochdalek hernia is more common on the left posterolateral aspect.
Shackleford 7e Pg 16.
which of the following is not true regarding the undulating membranes around the esophagus
A. they measure 170 micrometer in thickness
B. they measure 1-2mm in length
C. connect esophagus to the trachea and surrounding tissue
D. consist of collagen, elastic fiber elements and sparse muscle fibers.
E. Stretchable to some extent and accumulate around the tracheal bifurcation
Ans B -
the undulating membranes measure 3-5mm in length approximately.
Shackleford 7e Pg 15.
which of the following does not anchor the lower end of the esophagus?
A. Allison membrane
B. Laimer Ligament
C. Phrenoesophageal membrane
D. None of the above
Ans D - none of the above.
Allison membrane = Laimer Ligament = PEM
Shackleford 7e Pg 16.
which of the following is not true regarding PEM ?
A. Identified by its yellow color even in severe peri-esophagitis.
B. composed of collagen and elastic fibers.
C. formed by blending of the Sub-diaphragmatic and Endothoracic aproneuroses
D. Inserts on the esophageal musculature.
Ans D -
PEM splits into two sheets. In the adult human one sheet extends 2-4cm upwards through the hiatus, where its fibers traverse the esophageal musculature to insert into the submucosa.
Other sheet passes across the cardia upto the level of the gastric fundus where it blends into the gastric serosa, the gastrohepatic ligament and dorsal gastric mesentry.
With advancing age the elastic fibers are replaced by collagenous tissue, and the adhesion of the PEM to the lower esophagus loosens, which leads to loss of pliability
Shackleford 7e Pg 16, 18.
which of the following statements is false?
A. the cricopharyngeus muscle is the UES and composed of striated muscle fibers entirely
B. the first smooth muscle fibers appear 2-3mm caudal to the UES.
C. Caudal to the tracheal bifurcation no striated muscle fibers are present.
D. none of the above
Ans D - none of the above.
Shackleford 7e Pg 18.
the manometric length of the UES is ?
A. 0-2cm
B. 2-4cm
C. 4-6cm
D. 6-8cm
Ans B - 2-4cm
UES is manometrically a 2-4 cm long zone of elevated pressure. Marks the entrance into the esophagus.
High pressure results from the contraction of the cricopharyngeus muscle.
the cricopharyngeus muscle originates from the lateral cricoid process and closes the esophageal opening by exerting pressure toward the posterior plane of the cricoid cartilage.
Shackleford 7e Pg 20.
the LES is best demonstrated with ?
A. Esophageal manometry
B. Endoscopy
C. Barium Swallow
D. Intraoperative during laparotomy
Ans A - Esophageal manometry
the LES is best demonstrated and assessed quantitatively with esophageal manometry.
It can be roughly visualised by endoscopy and radiographic studies.
It cannot be identified from inside the abdomen as a visible anatomic area at the lower end of the esophagus because there is no muscular thickening or special identifiable muscular structure.
Shackleford 8e Pg 4.
which of the following is false regarding LES ?
A. Semicircular muscular clasps are present toward the lesser curvature side at the GEJ
B. Gastric sling fibers form the lower end of the LES towards the left side.
C. LES is a symmetric structural and functional high pressure zone
D. Vagal branches regulate the neurologic function of LES
E. myotomy during achalasia should be performed between the sling fibers and clasps so as to maintain the integrity of the sphincter.
Ans C -
LES is an asymmetric structural and functional high pressure zone.
Shackleford 8e Pg 5.
which of the following is not one of the manometrically assessed components of the LES?
A. Overall length of the high pressure zone
B. Sphincter Pressure
C. Sphincter position or Intra-abdominal length of the high pressure zone
D. Diaphragmatic crural component
Ans D - diaphragmatic crural component.
Following the DeMeester School the LES can be characterized by 3 manometrically assessed components -
the overall length of the high pressure zone
the sphincter pressure
sphincter position - expressed by the intra-abdominal length of the high pressure zone.
Shackleford 8e Pg 6
the average length of the LES high pressure zone measured manometrically is ?
A. 0-1cm
B. 0-2cm
C. 2-4cm
D. 3-5cm
Ans D - 3-5cm
Shackleford 8e Pg 6.
The mean pressure of the LES high pressure zone is?
A. 10 mmHg
B. 14 mmHg
C. 18 mmHg
D. 26 mmHg
Ans B - mean pressure of the LES high pressure zone is 14 mmHg.
Shackleford 8e Pg 6.
Which of the following statements is false regarding the LES?
A. Shorter the overall length of the high pressure zone, higher must be the pressure to maintain barrier function
B. A critical component is the intra-abdominal length of LES exposed to the positive intra-abdominal pressure.
C. as GERD develops increasing deficiencies in the overall length, intra-abdominal length and pressure can be seen.
D. none of the above
Ans D - None of the above.
Shackleford 8e Pg 6.
what is the number of recording sites in the current HRM technology
A. 31 sites 1cm apart
B. 31 sites 0.5cm apart
C. 36 sites 1cm apart
D. 36 sites 0.5cm apart
Ans C - 36 sites 1 cm apart.
Shackleford 8e Pg 7.