Esophagus

Question 1

Length of esophagus

Answer 1

10 inches / 25cm

Question 2

It passes through the diaphragm at what level

Answer 2

T10

Question 3

Borders of cervical/neck portion of esophagus
Posterior:
Lateral:
Anterior:

Answer 3

Posterior: vertebral column

Lateral: lobes of thyroid gland

Anterior: trachea & recurrent laryngeal nerve

Question 4

Blood supply
Upper third:
middle third:
lower third:

Answer 4

Upper third: inferior thyroid artery

middle third: esophageal branches from the descending thoracic artery

lower third: branches from the left gastric artery

Question 5

Blood drainage
Upper third:
middle third:
lower third:

Answer 5

Upper third: inferior thyroid veins

middle third: azygos veins

lower third: left gastric vein

Question 6

Left gastric vein is a tributary of what vein?

Answer 6

Portal vein

Question 7

Lymph drainage
Upper third:
middle third:
lower third:

Answer 7

Upper third: Deep cervical nodes

middle third: superior & posterior mediastinal nodes

lower third: nodes along the gastric blood vessels & celiac nodes

Question 8

Nerve supply

Parasympathetic:
Sympathetic:

Answer 8

Parasympathetic: vagi trunk
Sympathetic: sympathetic trunks

Question 9

In the lower parts of thoracic esophagus, it is surrounded by what plexus?

Answer 9

Esophageal nerve plexus

Question 10

First anatomic & physiologic constriction, distance from incisor

Answer 10

Cervical constriction - where pharynx join the upper end of esophagus
- upper esophageal sphincter
15 cm / 6 in

Question 11

Second anatomic & physiologic constriction, distance from incisor

Answer 11

Broncho-aortic constriction - aortic arch & left primary bronchus
25 cm / 10 in

Question 12

Third anatomic & physiologic constriction, distance from incisor

Answer 12

Diaphragmatic constriction - where esophagus passes through the diaphragm
- lower esophageal sphincter
41 cm/16 in

Question 13

Clinical importance of the constrictions

Answer 13

1. site where swallowed foreign bodies can lodge
2. where it is difficult to pass an esophagoscope
3. where strictures (narrowings) may develop after drinking caustic fluids
4. common sites for esophagus carcinoma