Esophagus Flashcards
What are the two sphincters of the Esophagus?
Crichopharyngeal
Gastroesophageal
How does the trachea appear with an esophageal mass or enlargement?
Ventrally displaced
Tracheoesophageal stripe sign
Gas in the esophagus causes the walls of the esophagus and trachea to appear touching - “summation”
Esophagram
valuable for assessing esophageal function and structure
What can you do to see the esophagus better on a VD?
rotate the sternum 45 degrees
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction
Failure of cricopharyngeus muscle to dilate
Lack of synchrony of pharyngeal contraction and sphincter relaxation
Unable to propel food from pharynx into esophagus
What are the different types of Megaesophagus?
Segmental vs. generalized
Congenital vs. Acquired
What is the cause of congenital megaesophagus?
Idiopathic
What is the cause of acquired megaesophagus?
Idiopathic Anesthesia Myasthenia gravis Gastroesophageal obstruction Endocrinopathym: Hypothyroidism or Addison's
What are the radiographic signs of Megaesophagus?
Tubular structure in lateral view, dorsal to tracheal and caudal vena cava
Trachea displaced ventrally
Converging “funnel” opacity in caudal thorax on VD
What are the two causes of Acquired Segmental megaesophagus?
Foreign body
Stricture
What disease is a Vascular Ring Anomaly?
Persistent Right Aortic Arch
What are the three preferred locations for esophageal foreign bodies?
- Thoracic Inlet
- Directly above the heart in radiographs
- Esophageal Hiatus
