Esophagus

Question 1

What is the origin of the esophagus?

Answer 1

The esophagus’ origin is the continuation of the pharynx at the pharyngeoesophgeal junction at the c6 veterbra

Question 2

What is the course of the esophagus?

Answer 2

Runs down in the lower neck
Enters thorax by passing through thoracic inlet
Descends into the superior mediastinum and then in the posterior mediastinum
Passes through the esophageal opening of the diaphragm at the T10 vertebra.
Enters abdomen

Question 3

Where does the termination of the esophagus occur?

Answer 3

The esophagus terminates by Joining the cardiac end of the stomach at T11.

Question 4

What are the 3 parts/regions of the esophagus?

Answer 4

Cervical
Thoracic
Abdominal

Question 5

What are the anterior relations of the cervical part?

Answer 5

Trachea and recurrent laryngeal nerves

Question 6

What are the posterior relations of the cervical part of the esophagus?

Answer 6

Posterior relation of the esophagus is the vertebral column

Question 7

What are the lateral relations of the cervical part of the esophagus?

Answer 7

The carotid sheath and lobe of the thyroid gland

Question 8

What are the anterior relations of the thoracic part of the esophagus?

Answer 8

The trachea, left principal bronchus, pericardium and the heart.

Question 9

What are the posterior relations of the thoracic part of the esophagus?

Answer 9

The vertebral column

Question 10

What are the right relations of the thoracic part of the esophagus?

Answer 10

Right lung,right pleura,arch of azygos vein

Question 11

What are the left relations of the thoracic part of the esophagus?

Answer 11

Left lung, left pleura, arch of aorta,descending thoracic aorta

Question 12

What is are anterior relation of the abdominal part of the esophagus?

Answer 12

The left lobe of the liver

Question 13

What are the posterior relations of the abdominal part of the esophagus?

Answer 13

Diaphragm

Question 14

Describe the 1st constriction of the esophagus

Answer 14

Caused by the cricopharyngeus muscles of the inferior constrictor muscle

Question 15

Describe the 2nd constriction of the of the esophagus

Answer 15

At the second constriction, the esophagus is crossed by the arch of the aorta

Question 16

Describe the 3rd constriction of the esophagus

Answer 16

At the 3rd constriction, the esophagus is crossed by the left principal bronchus

Question 17

Describe the 4th constriction of the esophagus

Answer 17

At the 4th constriction, the esophagus pierces the diaphargm

Question 18

What is the blood supply of the cervical part of the esophagus?

Answer 18

The cervical part is supplied by the inferior thyroid artery and vein

Question 19

What is the blood supply of the thoracic part of the esophagus?

Answer 19

The thoracic part of the esophagus Is supplied by the descending thoracic aorta,azygous,hemiazygous and acessory hemiazygous veins

Question 20

What is the blood supply of the abdominal part of the esophagus??

Answer 20

The abdominal region of the esophagus is supplied by the left gastric artery and vein

Question 21

What is the nerve supply of the esophagus?

Answer 21

Parasym- vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves

Question 22

What is the lymphatic drainage of the cervical part of the esophagus?

Answer 22

Deep cervical lymph nodes

Question 23

What is the lymphatic drainage of the thoracic part of the esophagus

Answer 23

Mediastinal lymph nodes

Question 24

What is the lymphatic drainage of the abdominal part of the esophagus?

Answer 24

Celiac lymph nodes

Question 25

What is achalasia cardiac of the esophagus?

Answer 25

This results from the spasm of the sphincter/inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax(open up during swallowing)
Causes dysphagia-leads to a back up food within the esophagus.

Question 26

What causes esophageal varices?

Answer 26

Dialated submucosal veins in the lower esophagus caused by portal hypertension

Submucosal veins of the lower esophagus drain the portal system.

In portal hypertension,blood is unable to pass through the liver via hepatic vein causing a reversal of flow in the esophageal tributary

Large volume of blood causes the submucosal veins to enlarge forming esophageal varices