| Topography , Contour & Normal Constrictions of Esophagus |
Cervical
esophagus ： continuation of the
pharynx
at the level of 6th cervical vertebra ( C6
)
lower portion of the neck → superior and
posterior mediastina
of the thorax 、、、
On each side the carotid sheath
and the structures
it contains accompany the cervical esophagus.
The lobes of the thyroid gland
partially overlap the
esophagus on each side.
Thoracic
esophagus : To
lie posterior to the trachea
as far as the level
of the 5th thoracic
body, where the trachea bifurcates.
The trachea slightly deviates
to the right at its lower end,
so the left main bronchus
crosses in front of the esophagus.
Below this point the esophagus is seperated
from the left
atrium of the heart
by the pericardium. In the lowest of
thoracic esophagus passes behind the diaphrgm
to
Abdominal
esophagus : →
esophageal
hiatus of the diaphragm →
to join the cardia of the stomach
at the
level of 10th
thoracic vertebra ( T10 )
( The esophagogastric
junction ) 、、、
| Esophagogastric junction |
Viewed from the front ： assumes a form of
gentle reversed "S" . The upper
2 lateral curvatures
is convex toward the left;
the lower thorax
and
abdomen is toward the right.
Anterior
to the cervical esophagus lies the membranous
wall of the trachea loosely connected by areolar
tissue.
Posteriorly,
the esophagus lies upon the vertebral
bodies and the longus colli mm. with fascia
intervening.
In the grooves on each sides between them ascend
the recurrent laryngeal nerves.
Next
Page↓
Vasculature of Esophagus
: Blood Supply, Venous Drainage &
Lymphatic Drainage of Esophagus
Histology of Esophagus