Chapter 90 Esophagus

Question 1

Describe the anatomy of the esophagus including muscles and cranial attachment

Answer 1

Muscular layer of the esophagus arises from cricopharyngeus muscle and the cricoesophageal tendon, which is connected to the medial dorsal crest of the cricoid cartilage and serves as the fixed cranial attachment of the esophagus..

Question 2

Describe the anatomy of the esophageal sphincters

Answer 2

The thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus muscles serve the function of the cranial esophageal sphincter*

Gastroesophageal junction serves as caudal (lower) esophageal sphincter*

Question 3

Cervical esophageal blood supply and drainage

Answer 3

Cranial and caudal thyroid arteries
Drained by external jugular veins

Question 4

Cranial 2/3 of thoracic esophageal blood supply and drainage

Answer 4

Bronchoesophageal artery
Drains into azygos vein

Question 5

Caudal 1/3 of thoracic esophageal blood supply

Answer 5

Esophageal branches of the aorta or dorsal intercostal arteries.

Question 6

Blood supply to the terminal portion of the esophagus and drainage

Answer 6

Esophageal branch of left gastric artery
Drains into portal vein