Anatomy study note · Thorax

Esophagus

A muscular tube about 25 cm long carrying food from the pharynx (at C6) through the superior and posterior mediastinum and the diaphragm (at T10) to the stomach.

Key points

• 25 cm; C6 → T10 (oesophageal hiatus).
• Constrictions at 15, 25, 41 cm from the incisors.
• Arteries: inferior thyroid / aorta / left gastric (upper/middle/lower thirds).
• Lower third = portal–systemic anastomosis → varices.
• Left atrium directly in front.
• Foregut; upper ⅔ striated, lower ⅓ smooth muscle (Singh).
• Atresia ± tracheo-oesophageal fistula.
• Stratified squamous nonkeratinized.
• Muscle: upper ⅓ skeletal, middle mixed, lower ⅓ smooth.

The full note in the atlas also covers

Relations · Blood supply · Nerve supply · Lymph drainage · Histology · Development · Clinical notes

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Written from

• Snell’s Clinical Anatomy by Regions, 10th ed., ch. 5, PDF pp. 657–662
• Inderbir Singh’s Human Embryology, ch. 13, PDF pp. 178–181
• BRS Cell Biology & Histology, 7th ed., ch. 16, PDF pp. 289–290

More from the thorax

• First rib
• Heart
• Intercostal arteries
• Intercostal muscles
• Intercostal nerves
• Internal thoracic artery
• Internal thoracic vein
• Interventricular septum
• Joints of the ribs
• Left atrium
• Left coronary artery
• Left ventricle

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