Esophagus

Question 1

The esophagus is a narrow muscular tube extending from

Answer 1

Pharynx to Stomach

Question 2

The anatomy of

esophagus is clinically important because of its involvement in various diseases such as

Answer 2

Esophagitis, esophageal varices

and cancer.

Question 3

Dimensions

Answer 3

Length: 25 cm (10 inches).
Width: 2 cm

Question 4

The lumen of esophagus is

Answer 4

Closed (collapsed) and opens (dilates) only during the

passage of the food.

Question 5

The course of esophagus:

Answer 5

It starts at lower border of Cricoid Cartilage @ C6 Level and then decends downwards in front of vertebral column passing thru’ superior and posterior mediastina and the pierces the diaphragm at T10 level and ends at Cardiac orifice at T11 Level

Question 6

The CURVATURES of Esophagus :

Answer 6

1. Two side-to-side curvatures, both towards the left.
   (a) First at the root of the neck, before entering the thoracic inlet.
   (b) Second at the level of T7 vertebra, before passing in front of the descending thoracic aorta.
2. Two anteroposterior curvatures.
   (a) First corresponding to the curvature of cervical
   spine.
   (b) Second corresponding to the curvature of thoracic
   spine.

Question 7

How many constrictions are there in esophagus and the distance to each one is measured from?

Answer 7

There are four sites of anatomical constrictions/

narrowings in the esophagus. The distance of each constriction is measured from the upper incisor teeth.

Question 8

The First Constriction :

Answer 8

The pharyngo-esophageal junction,
9 cm (6 inches) from the incisor teeth.
It is due to Upper Esophageal Sphincter : Cricopharyngeus

Question 9

The Second Constriction :

Answer 9

Here it is crossed by the arch of

aorta, 22.5 cm (9 inches) from the incisor teeth

Question 10

The Third Constriction :

Answer 10

Here it is crossed by the left principal bronchus, 27.5 cm (11 inches) from the incisor teeth.

Question 11

The Forth Constriction :

Answer 11

Here  it  pierces  the  diaphragm,  
40 cm (15 inches) from the incisor teeth.

Question 12

The esophagus is divided into

Answer 12

3 Parts

1. Cervical part (4 cm in length).
2. Thoracic part (20 cm in length).
3. Abdominal part (1–2 cm in length).

Question 13

The cervical part extends from

Answer 13

The lower border of cricoid

cartilage to the superior border of manubrium sterni

Question 14

The Thoracic Part Extends From

Answer 14

Superior border of manubrium sterni to the esophageal opening in the diaphragm

Question 15

The Abdominal Part Extends From

Answer 15

Esophageal opening in the diaphragm to the cardiac end of the stomach.

Question 16

RELATIONS OF THORACIC PART OF THE ESOPHAGUS 1. Anterior

Answer 16

1. Trachea.
2. Arch of aorta.
3. Right pulmonary artery.
4. Left principal bronchus.
5. Left atrium enclosed in the pericardium.
6. Diaphragm.

Question 17

RELATIONS OF THORACIC PART OF THE ESOPHAGUS 2. Posterior

Answer 17

1. Vertebral column.
2. Right posterior intercostal arteries.
3. Thoracic duct.
4. Azygos vein.
5. Hemiazygos veins (terminal parts).
6. Descending thoracic aorta.

Question 18

RELATIONS OF THORACIC PART OF THE ESOPHAGUS 3. Right

Answer 18

1. Right lung and pleura.
2. Azygos vein.
3. Right vagus nerve.

Question 19

RELATIONS OF THORACIC PART OF THE ESOPHAGUS 4. Left

Answer 19

1. Arch of aorta.
2. Left subclavian artery.
3. Thoracic duct.
4. Left lung and pleura.
5. Left recurrent laryngeal nerve.
6. Descending thoracic aorta.

Question 20

RELATIONS OF ABDOMINAL PART OF THE ESOPHAGUS

Answer 20

Anterior:
1.  Posterior surface of the left lobe of the liver.
2.  Left gastric nerve.
Posterior:
1.  Left crus of diaphragm.
2.  Right gastric nerve.

Question 21

Blood Supply to the esophagus

Answer 21

Cervical part : Inferior Thyroid Arteries
Thoracic part : Esophageal Branches of
(a) descending thoracic aorta, and
(b) bronchial arteries.
Abdominal part : Esophageal Branches of
(a) left gastric artery, and
(b) left inferior phrenic artery.

Question 22

VENOUS DRAINAGE of Esophagus

Answer 22

Cervical part is drained by inferior thyroid veins.

Thoracic part is drained by azygos and hemiazygos veins.

Abdominal part is drained by two venous channels, viz.

(a) hemiazygos vein, a tributary of inferior vena cava, and
(b) left gastric vein, a tributary of portal vein.

Question 23

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE of Esophagus

Answer 23

Cervical Part : Deep cervical
Thoracic Part : Posterior mediastinal lymph nodes.
Abdominal Part : Left gastric lymph nodes.

Question 24

Nerve Supply

Answer 24

The parasympathetic fibres are derived from recurrent
laryngeal nerves and esophageal plexuses formed by vagus
nerves. They provide sensory, motor, and secretomotor
supply to the esophagus.

The sympathetic fibres are derived from T5–T9 spinal
segments are sensory and vasomotor.

Question 25

The Layers Of Esophagus

Answer 25

In to Out

1. Mucosa
2. Submucosa
3. Muscular
4. Fibrous Membrane

Question 26

Mucosa consists of

Answer 26

(a) Epithelium—highly stratified squamous and non-
keratinized.
(b) Lamina propria—contains cardiac esophageal
glands in the lower part only.
(c) Muscularis mucosa—very-very thick and made up
of only longitudinal layer of smooth muscle fibres.

Question 27

Submucosa Consits of

Answer 27

It contains mucous esophageal glands.

Question 28

Muscular layer:

Answer 28

(a) In upper one-third, it is made up of skeletal muscle.
(b) In middle one-third, it is made up of both skeletal and smooth muscles.
(c) In lower one-third, it is made up of smooth muscle

Question 29

Fibrous membrane (adventitia).

Answer 29

It consists of dense connective tissue with many elastic fibres.