Oesophagus, Stomach and Duodenum Flashcards
(78 cards)
What is the function of the oesophagus?
transport food and fluid to stomach by peristaltic waves
What are the borders/margins of the oesophagus
starts in the midline as the continuation of the pharynx at C6; inferior border of cricoid cartilage
Where does the oesophagus descend between?
between trachea and vertebral column
Where does the oesophagus enter the thorax?
behind trachea, with the arch of the aorta to its left in the superior mediastinum
Where does the oesophagus enter the abdominal cavity?
T10, slightly left of the midline
What are the 4 non-pathological constrictions of the oesophagus?
- upper oesophgeal sphincter - level C6
- Arch of aorta - T4
- Left main bronchus
- Diaphragm - T10
What feature is related to the oesophagus anteriorly but not a constriction?
left atrium
What sphincter lies between the oesophagus and pharynx?
cricopharyngeal sohincter
What is the significance of oesophgeal constrictions?
- more likely to cause blockage
- Hinder the passage of instruments
- Slow down the oassage of caustic substances - causing more damage
Indicate the:
- muscle type
- swallowing
- arterial supply
- venous drainage
- innervation
- lymphatic drainage
of the superior 1/3 of the oesophagus
- striated
- voluntary and rapid
- inferior thyroid artery
- brachiocephalic veins
- vagus (recurrent laryngeal)
- deep cervical
Indicate the:
- muscle type
- arterial supply
- venous drainage
- innervation
- lymphatic drainage
of the middle 1/3 of the oesophagus
- mix
- Aorta, brachiocephalic aa.
- Azygos
- Oesophgeal plexus (vagus + T1-4, greater splanchnic nerve)
- Trachaeobronchial
Indicate the:
- muscle type
- swallowing
- arterial supply
- venous drainage
- innervation
- lymphatic drainage
of the inferior 1/3 of the oesophagus
- smooth
- involuntary and slow
- left gastric artery, left inferior phrenic artery
- left gastric vein, oesophgeal vv.
- oesophgeal plexus (vagus + T1-4, greater splanchnic nerve)
- left gastric, coeliac
What is the shortest part of the oesophagus?
abdominal oesophagus (lower 1/3)
Where does the abdominal oesophagus travel?
- from the oesophageal haitus to the cardiac notch of the stomach
- passes through the right crus of diaphragm at T10
How is the abdominal oesophagus attached to the oesophgeal hiatus?
phreno-oesophgeal ligament
What is the arterial supply of the abdominal oesophagus?
left gastric artery, a branch of the coeliac trunk
What veins drain the abdominal oesophagus?
- left gastric, short gastric veins drain to portal vein
- oesopheal veins drain to azygos system
What is the nerve supply of the abdominal oesophagus?
- parasympathetic from vagus
- sympathetic from greater splanchnic (T5-T()

green = left gastric artery
red = oesophgeal veins
blue = left gastric vein
What is the lymphatic drainage of the abdominal oesophagus?
- left gastric lymph nodes
- celiac lymph nodes
What is the main reflux mechanism of the lower oesophgeal sphincter? (major and minor)
Major
- circular smooth muscle fibres
- right crus of diaphragm
Minor:
- Clasp fibres
- oblique entry of the oesophagus into the stomach
What is the Z-line?
gastro-oesophgeal junction is usually identified by a circumfenential ‘zigzag’ line between the pale pink oesophgeal squamous epithelium above and the red columnar epithelium below

What is Barrett’s Oesophagus?
pathological replcament of oesophgeal squamous epithelium by gastric columnar epithelium
What is the stomach?
a muscular sac








