Oesophagus
From Ganfyd
The oesophagus or gullet is a muscular canal, which in adults is about 23 to 25 cm. long. It extends from the pharynx to the stomach. It is the narrowest part of the digestive tract, and is most contracted at its commencement, and at the point where it passes through the diaphragm,
Contents |
Position
- begins at level of 6th cervical vertebra
- lower border of cricoid cartilage
- passes through superior and posterior mediastinum
- inclines to left of midline through thorax
- lies in front of thoracic duct and midline vessels
- lies posterior to left atrium of heart
- passes through fibres of right crus of diaphragm on left side at level of 10th thoracic vertebra
Narrowings
- cricoid (15 cm from incisors)
- arch of aorta (22cm)
- left main bronchus (27cm)
- diaphragm (37-40cm)
Oesophageal histology
Blood Supply
- receives blood from branches from inferior thyroid artery, aorta and also from left gastric artery
- venous drainage mainly into azygos vein
- inferiorly venous drainage goes to hepatic portal circulation
- given hepatic portal obstruction venous blood runs through veins of oesophagus; these veins enlarge as oesophageal varices and are prone to rupture
