Trachea And Esophagus

Question 1

State the extents of the trachea

Answer 1

•Extends from the lower border of cricoid cartilage at the lower border of C6 vertebra to the lower border of T4( in supine position) where it terminates by dividing into left and right principal bronchi

Question 2

State the relations of the Trachea

Answer 2

Anteriorly (superficial to deep)
1. Skin
2. Superficial fascia containing anterior Jugular veins and jugular venous arch( crossing the suprasternal space of Burns)
3. Investing layer of deep cervical fascia.
4. Sternothyroid and sternohyoid muscles.
5. Isthmus of thyroid gland in front of 2-4 tracheal rings
6. Inferior thyroid veins and arteriea thyroidea ima (occasional)
7. Left brachiocephalic vein in children may rise in the neck
8. Thymus gland- children
9. Brachiocephalic artery (sometimes) in children

Posteriorly
1. Esophagus
2. Recurrent laryngeal nerve in the tracheoesophageal groove. ( On each side)

On each side
1. Lobe of thyroid gland extending up to the 5th or 6th tracheal ring
2. Common carotid artery in carotid sheath

Question 3

State the Blood supply and lymph drainage of the cervical part of the Trachea.

Answer 3

Arterial supply
• mainly from branches of the inferior thyroid arteries.

Venous drainage
• veins from trachea drain into the left brachiocephalic vein.

Lymph drainage
•lymph from trachea drains into pre- and paratracheal nodes.

Question 4

State the Nerve supply of trachea

Answer 4

** Parasympathetic fibres**
• From vagus through recurrent laryngeal. They are secretomotor and sensory to the mucus membrane and motor to trachealis muscle.

Sympathetic fibres
• Derived from middle cervical sympathetic ganglion. They are vasomotor.

Question 5

State the extents of the cervical part of the cervical esophagus.

Answer 5

Extends from the lower border of cricoid cartilage to the superior border of manubrium sterni.

• begins in midline but inclined slightly to the left as it descends.

Question 6

State the relations of the cervical part of the esophagus

Answer 6

Anteriorly
1. Trachea
2. Recurrent laryngeal nerve

Posteriorly
1. Prevertebral fascia
2. Longus colli muscles
3. Vertebral column

On each side
1. Lobe of thyroid gland
2. Common carotid artery
3. Thoracic duct on the left side

• Prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia forms a movable base on which the trachea and esophagus move up and down during swallowing and phonation.*

Question 7

State the blood supply and lymphatic drainage of the cervical part of the esophagus.

Answer 7

Arterial
• inferior thyroid arteries

Venous
• veins from this part drain into inferior thyroid veins and left brachiocephalic vein.

Lymphatics
• lymph vessels drain into pre- tracheal and deep cervical lymph nodes.