Esophagus

Question 1

Esophagus: Location

Answer 1

Begins at CV6 as a continuation of the pharynx

Ends in the abdomen at the stomach at the level of TV11

During descent through the thorax, deviates slightly to the left at TV1, then slightly right at TV5 and passes through the diaphragmn on the left side at TV10

Question 2

Esophagus: Location of posterior and anterior surfaces

Answer 2

Posterior: Related to the vertebrae above and to the thoracic aorta below

Anterior: Related to the trachea above and the pericardium below

Question 3

Esophagus: Location of Right and Left sides

Answer 3

Right: Related to parietal pleura

Left: Related to parietal pleura EXCEPT in mid-thoracic region, where it is related to the aorta

Question 4

What are the 4 layers of the esophagus?

Answer 4

Tunica Adventitia

Tunica Muscularis

Tunica Submucosa

Tunica Mucosa

Question 5

Esophageal Tunica Adventitia: Characteristics

Answer 5

Related to the esophageal plexus of nerves and contains a plexus of veins

Question 6

Esophageal Tunica Muscularis: Characteristics

Answer 6

Contains a nerve plexus consisting of both sympathetic and parasympathetic cell bodes

Question 7

Esophageal Tunica Submucosa: Characteristics

Answer 7

Contains a Nerve plexus having similar elements as above (Tunica Muscularis) and a venous plexus

Question 8

Esophageal Tunica Submucosa: Characteristics

Answer 8

STratified Squamous Epithelium with tunic propria

Question 9

What are the arteries of the Esophagus?

Answer 9

Inferior Thyroid ARteries

Bronchial, esophageal and mediastinal arteries

Esophageal branch of the left gastric artery

Question 10

Inferior Thyroid Artery: Point of Supply

Answer 10

Upper esophagus

Question 11

Bronchia, esophageal and mediastinal arteries: Pont of Supply

Answer 11

Middle Esophagus

Question 12

Esophageal Branch of the left gastric artery: Point of supply

Answer 12

Lower Esophagus

Question 13

Where do the upper veins of the esophagus drain to?

Answer 13

Superior vena cava via inferior thyroid and azygos veins

Question 14

Where do the lower veins of the esophagus drain to?

Answer 14

Portal System via esophageal branches of gastric vein

Question 15

What part of the esophagus is part of the porto-caval anastomose?

Answer 15

The venous plexus in the middle and lower thirds of the esophagus

Question 16

What nerves contribute to the Esophageal plexus?

Answer 16

Both Vagus nerves which contribute preganglionic parasymp fibers and sensory fibers

Splanchnic branches from the Smpathetic trunk contributing postganglionic fibers and sensory fibers