Oesophagus

Question 1

What is the oesophagus a continuation of?

Answer 1

Laryngeal part of pharynx

Question 2

Where does the oesophagus begin?

Answer 2

C6

Inferior border of cricoid cartilage

Question 3

Where does the oesophagus travel?

Answer 3

Down the thorax, between trachea and vertebral bodies

Into the abdomen

Question 4

How does the oesophagus enter the andomen?

Answer 4

Through a hole in the diaphragm called the oesophageal hiatus

Question 5

At what vertebral level does the oesophagus enter the abdomen?

Answer 5

T10

Question 6

Where does the oesophagus end?

Answer 6

At the cardia of the stomach

Question 7

What type of muscle is the external longitudinal layer of muscularis mucosae in the oesophagus made up of?

Answer 7

Superior third - skeletal muscle

Middle third - skeletal and smooth muscle

Inferior third - smooth muscle

Question 8

What separates the pharynx from the oesophagus?

Answer 8

The upper oesophageal sphincter

Question 9

What is the upper oesophageal sphincter made up of?

Answer 9

Skeletal muscle

Question 10

What is the function of the upper oesophageal sphincter?

Answer 10

To prevent the entry of air into the oesophagus

Question 11

What separates the oesophagus from the stomach?

Answer 11

Lower oesophageal sphincter

Question 12

How does the lower oesophageal sphincter work?

Answer 12

Oesopheagal mucosal folds narrow the lumen

Oesophageal hiatus of diaphragm pinches the oesophagus

Lower oesophagus is compressed by raised intra-abdominal pressure

Oesophagus enters stomach at acute angle

Question 13

What is the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter?

Answer 13

To prevent reflux of gastric contents into oesophagus