anatomy of esophagus

yuniarti

anatomy department
faculty of medicine
UNISBA
The esophagus is a
muscular tube
(approximately 25 cm [10
in] long) with an average
diameter of 2 cm that
conveys food from the
pharynx to the stomach
The esophagus begins at the inferior end
of the laryngopharynx

Then, it pierces the diaphragm through an

opening called the esophageal hiatus (at
T10 vertebrae)

and ends in the superior portion of the

stomach / cardial orifice of the stomach to
the left of the midline at the level of the
7th left costal cartilage and
T11 vertebrae
• The esophagus normally has three
constriction where adjacent
structures produce impressions :

1. Cervical constriction (upper

esophageal sphincter)
Beginning at the
pharyngoesophageal junction,
caused by cricopharyngeus
muscle.
2. Thoracic (broncho-aortic)
constriction
A compound constriction where it is
first crossed by the arch of the
aorta and then where it is crossed
by the left main bronchus.
3. Diaphragmatic constriction
Where it passes through the
esophageal hiatus of the
diaphragm.
At each end of the
esophagus, the muscularis
becomes slightly more
prominent and forms two
sphincters—

* the upper esophageal

sphincter (UES)
which consists of skeletal
muscle, regulates the
movement of food from
the pharynx into the
esophagus

*lower esophageal
sphincter (LES)
which consists of smooth
muscle, regulates the
movement of food from
the esophagus into the
stomach
The esophagus is
attached to the
margins of the
esophageal hiatus in
the diaphragm by the
phrenicoesophageal
ligament, an
extension of inferior
diaphragmatic fascia.
This ligament permits
independent
movement of the
diaphragm and
esophagus during
respiration and
swallowing.
Venous drainage to the portal
venous system through the left
gastric vein

Venous drainage to systemic

venous system through
esophageal veins entering the
azygos vein