esophagus

(ĭ-sŏf'ə-gəs)

[Middle English isophagus, from Medieval Latin ēsophagus, from Greek oisophagos, arbitrary medical coinage perhaps from ois-, future tense stem of pherein, to carry + -phagos, food (unattested sense) (from phagein, to eat).]

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A section of the alimentary canal that is interposed between the pharynx and the stomach. Because of divergent specializations in the various vertebrates, the esophagus cannot be described in general terms and is not always distinguishable.

In humans it is a tube running the full length of the neck and the thorax, held in its position ventral to the vertebral centra by a tunica adventitia of loose connective tissue. It has an inner lining of folded mucous membrane with an exceptionally thick lamina propria, a submucosa of elastic and collagenous connective tissue, and two layers of muscle. The musculature is striated in the anterior third of its length, unstriated in the posterior third, and variably intermixed in the middle. It is supplied with autonomic nerve fibers.

Although normally collapsed, the human esophagus is capable of considerable distension during the rapid passage of swallowed material, under which condition the folds of mucous membrane and lamina propria are temporarily smoothed out. Numerous microscopic esophageal glands open into the lumen, extending their compound tubules out into the submucosa.

In humans the transition from the esophagus to the stomach occurs quite abruptly at the diaphragm. The pharynx narrows posteriorly like a funnel and the foregut may thereupon enlarge, but much of what appears to be stomach may have an esophageal character histologically. See also Digestive system.

Oesophagus (esophagus), from the Greek for gullet, refers to the muscular tube, with a mucus-secreting lining, that leads from the mouth via the pharynx, down through the neck and the thorax, and through the diaphragm to the stomach. In the neck it lies behind the air passages — the lower end of the larynx and the upper part of the trachea. In the thorax, it continues behind the trachea and the heart, to pass into the abdominal cavity through a gap in the muscle of the diaphragm; less than an inch below this, it opens into the stomach. When swallowing occurs, food is pushed into the top of the oesophagus, and is then propelled onwards by waves of circular muscle relaxation below it and of contraction above it: the peristalsis that occurs throughout the gut. This process can if necessary defeat gravity; food, and even liquids, can be swallowed even standing on one's head, though clearly this is not generally attempted except as a remarkable demonstration. Muscle encircling the oesophagus at the top and bottom provides sphincters that, respectively, prevent air being sucked in during inhalation, and regurgitation of stomach contents.

— Stuart Judge

See alimentary system; swallowing.

The muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach and serves as a passageway for food. (See digestive system.)

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The musculomembranous passage extending from the pharynx to the stomach, consisting of an outer fibrous coat, a muscular layer (all striated in dogs and ruminants, plus some smooth muscle in cats, pigs and horses), a submucous layer, and an inner mucous membrane. Each end is equipped with a functional sphincter although these are not distinct anatomically.

• redundant e. — a ventral esophageal deviation at the thoracic inlet. Seen on x-rays, mainly in brachycephalic dogs.

The muscular canal, about 25 cm long, extending from the pharynx to the stomach.

• Head and Neck - esophagus: tube through which food passes from pharynx to stomach
• Digestive and Excretory System - esophagus: long muscular tube from pharynx down neck to stomach

"Gullet" redirects here. For the African sailboat, see Gulet. For the Dutch soccer coach, see Ruud Gullit.

"Weasand" redirects here. For other meanings, see Weasand (disambiguation).

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2007)

Esophagus
Head and neck.
Digestive organs. (Esophagus is #1)
Latin	œsophagus
Gray's	subject #245 1144
Artery	esophageal arteries
Vein	esophageal veins
Nerve	celiac ganglia, vagus[1]
Precursor	Foregut
MeSH	oesophagus
Dorlands/Elsevier	Esophagus

The esophagus (or oesophagus) is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. During swallowing, food passes from the mouth through the pharynx into the esophagus and travels via peristalsis to the stomach. The word esophagus is derived from the Latin œsophagus, which derives from the Greek word oisophagos , lit. "entrance for eating." In humans the esophagus is continuous with the laryngeal part of the pharynx at the level of the C6 vertebra. The esophagus passes through posterior mediastinum in thorax and enters abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebrae (T10). It is usually about 25–30 cm long depending on individual height. It is divided into cervical, thoracic and abdominal parts. Due to the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, the entry to the esophagus opens only when swallowing or vomiting.

Contents 1 Histology 2 Esophageal constrictions 3 Gastroesophageal junction 4 In other animals 5 See also 6 Additional images 7 References 8 External links

Histology

Course of the esophagus (anterior view), showing it passing posteriorly to the trachea and the heart.

The layers of the esophagus are as follows:^[2]

• mucosa
  • nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium: is rapidly turned over, and serves a protective effect due to the high volume transit of food, saliva and mucus.
  • lamina propria: sparse.
  • muscularis mucosae: smooth muscle
• submucosa: Contains the mucous secreting glands (esophageal glands), and connective structures termed papillae.
• muscularis externa (or "muscularis propria"): composition varies in different parts of the esophagus, to correspond with the conscious control over swallowing in the upper portions and the autonomic control in the lower portions:
  • upper third, or superior part: striated muscle
  • middle third, smooth muscle and striated muscle
  • inferior third: predominantly smooth muscle
• adventitia

Esophageal constrictions

Normally, the esophagus has three anatomic constrictions at the following levels;^[3][4]

• At the esophageal inlet, where the pharynx joins the esophagus, behind the cricoid cartilage (14-16 cm from the incisor teeth).
• Where its anterior surface is crossed by the aortic arch and the left bronchus (25-27 cm from the incisor teeth).
• Where it pierces the diaphragm (36-38 cm from the incisor teeth).

The distances from the incisor teeth are important as is useful for diagnostic endoscopic procedures.

Gastroesophageal junction

The junction between the esophagus and the stomach (the gastroesophageal junction or GE junction) is not actually considered a valve, although it is sometimes called the cardiac sphincter, cardia or cardias, it actually better resembles a structure.

In much of the gastrointestinal tract, smooth muscles contract in sequence to produce a peristaltic wave which forces a ball of food (called a bolus) while in the esophagus. In humans, peristalsis is found in the contraction of smooth muscles to propel contents through the digestive tract.

In other animals

In most fish, the oesophagus is extremely short, primarily due to the length of the pharynx (which is associated with the gills). However, some fish, including lampreys, chimaeras, and lungfish, have no true stomach, so that the esophagus effectively runs from the pharynx directly to the intestine, and is therefore somewhat longer.^[5]

In tetrapods, the pharynx is much shorter, and the esophagus correspondingly longer, than in fish. In amphibians, sharks and rays, the esophageal epithelium is ciliated, helping to wash food along, in addition to the action of muscular peristalsis. In the majority of vertebrates, the esophagus is simply a connecting tube, but in birds, it is extended towards the lower end to form a crop for storing food before it enters the true stomach.^[5]

A structure with the same name is often found in invertebrates, including molluscs and arthropods, connecting the oral cavity with the stomach.

See also

• Esophageal disease
• Esophageal sphincter

Additional images

• 

  Esophagus

• 

  H&E stain of biopsy of normal esophagus showing the stratified squamous cell epithelium

• 

  Layers of the esophagus.

• 

  Mid-esophageal mass

• 

  Stomach

• 

  Accessory digestive system.

• 

  Organs of the digestive tract.

• 

  Esophagus

• 

  Section of the neck at about the level of the sixth cervical vertebra.

• 

  Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery.

• 

  Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx.

• 

  The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind. |

• 

  Section of the human esophagus. Moderately magnified.

• 

  Microscopic shot of a cross section of human gastroesophageal junction wall.

• 

  Micrograph of herpes esophagitis. H&E stain.

• 

  Esophagus

References

1. ^ Physiology at MCG 6/6ch2/s6ch2_30
2. ^ Histology at BU 10801loa
3. ^ Snell, Richard (2007). Clinical anatomy by regions. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 129. ISBN 9780781764049. http://books.google.com/books?id=7SZWRe2OBlgC&pg=PA129. 
4. ^ Schünke, Michael; Schulte, Erik; Schumacher, Udo; Ross, Lawrence; Lamperti, Edward (2006). Atlas of anatomy: neck and internal organs. Thieme. p. 70. ISBN 9781588904430. http://books.google.com/books?id=n0jqG0Lv2CAC&pg=PA70. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Romer, Alfred Sherwood; Parsons, Thomas S. (1977). The Vertebrate Body. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International. pp. 344–345. ISBN 0-03-910284-X. 

External links

Look up esophagus in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Virtual Slidebox at Univ. Iowa Slide 449
• Esophagus Foreign Body MedPix Radiology Teaching File

v d e Human systems and organs TA 2–4: MS Skeletal system Bone (Carpus · Collar bone (clavicle) · Thigh bone (femur) · Fibula · Humerus · Mandible · Metacarpus · Metatarsus · Ossicles · Patella · Phalanges · Radius · Skull (cranium) · Tarsus · Tibia · Ulna · Rib · Vertebra · Pelvis · Sternum) · Cartilage Joints Fibrous joint · Cartilaginous joint · Synovial joint Muscular system Muscle · Tendon · Diaphragm TA 5–11: splanchnic/ viscus mostly Thoracic Respiratory system URT (Nose, Nasopharynx, Larynx) · LRT (Trachea, Bronchus, Lung) mostly Abdominopelvic Digestive system+ adnexa Mouth (Salivary gland, Tongue) · upper GI (Oropharynx, Laryngopharynx, Esophagus, Stomach) · lower GI (Small intestine, Appendix, Colon, Rectum, Anus) · accessory (Liver, Biliary tract, Pancreas) GU: Urinary system Kidney · Ureter · Bladder · Urethra GU: Reproductive system Female (Uterus, Vulva, Ovary, Placenta) · Male (Scrotum, Penis, Prostate, Testicle, Seminal vesicle) Endocrine system Pituitary · Pineal · Thyroid · Parathyroid · Adrenal · Islets of Langerhans TA 12–16 Circulatory system Cardiovascular system peripheral (Artery, Vein, Lymphatic vessel) · Heart Lymphatic system primary (Bone marrow, Thymus) · secondary (Spleen, Lymph node) Nervous system (Brain, Spinal cord, Nerve) · Sensory system (Ear, Eye) Integumentary system Skin · Subcutaneous tissue · Breast (Mammary gland) Blood (Non-TA) Myeloid Myeloid immune system Lymphoid Lymphoid immune system General anatomy: systems and organs, regional anatomy, planes and lines, superficial axial anatomy, superficial anatomy of limbs

v d e Anatomy of torso, digestive system: Gastrointestinal tract, excluding mouth (TA A05.3–7, TH H3.04.02-04, GA 11.1141) Upper GI Hypo- pharynx Piriform sinus spaces: Peripharyngeal space Retropharyngeal space Parapharyngeal space Retrovisceral space Retropharyngeal space Danger space Prevertebral space Pterygomandibular raphe Pharyngeal raphe Buccopharyngeal fascia Pharyngobasilar fascia Pharyngeal muscles Esophagus UES LES Esophageal glands Serosa / Adventitia Muscular layer Submucosa Mucosa Muscularis mucosa Stomach by region: Greater curvature Lesser curvature Angular incisure Cardia Body Fundus Pylorus Pyloric antrum Pyloric canal by layer: Serosa Muscular layer Pyloric sphincter Submucosa Gastric mucosa Muscularis mucosa Gastric rugae Gastric pits Gastric gland Cardiac glands Fundic glands Pyloric glands Goblet cell Lower GI Intestine: small Layers Serosa Subserosa Muscular layer Circular folds Submucosa Mucosa Muscularis mucosa Peyer's patches Intestinal villus Intestinal gland Duodenum Suspensory muscle Major duodenal papilla Minor duodenal papilla Duodenal cap Duodenojejunal flexure Brunner's glands Jejunum no substructures Ileum Terminal ileum Ileocecal valve Intestine: large Layers Serosa Subserosa Muscular layer Submucosa Mucosa Cecum Vermiform appendix Colon ascending colon hepatic flexure transverse colon splenic flexure descending colon sigmoid colon continuous taenia coli haustra epiploic appendix Rectum Transverse folds of rectum Rectal ampulla Anal canal Anal columns Anal valves Anal sinuses Pectinate line Sphincter ani internus muscle Intersphincteric groove Sphincter ani externus muscle Anus M: DIG anat(t, g, p)/phys/devp/enzy noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon proc, drug(A2A/2B/3/4/5/6/7/14/16), blte

Jícen

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - spiserør, øsofagus

Nederlands (Dutch)
slokdarm

Français (French)
n. - ¯sophage

Deutsch (German)
n. - Ösophagus, Speiseröhre

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - οισοφάγος

Italiano (Italian)
esofago

Português (Portuguese)
n. - esôfago (m) (Anat.)

Русский (Russian)
пищевод

Español (Spanish)
n. - esófago

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - matstrupe

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
食道

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 食道

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 식도

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 食道

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) المرئ‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮ושט‬

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