Oesophagus

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Dysphagia
Oesophageal Carcinoma
Achalasia
GastroOesophageal Reflux Disease
Oesophageal Varices
Plummer Vinson Syndrome
Reflux Oesophagitis

Position

  • begins at level of 6th cervical vertebra
    • lower border of cricoid cartilage
  • passes through superior and posterior mediastinum
  • inclines to left of midline through thorax
  • lies in front of thoracic duct and midline vessels
  • lies posterior to left atrium of heart
  • passes through fibres of right crus of diaphragm on left side at level of 10th thoracic vertebra

Narrowings

  • cricoid (15 cm from incisors)
  • arch of aorta (22cm)
  • left main bronchus (27cm)
  • diaohragm (37-40cm)

Histology

Blood Supply

  • receives blood from branches from inferior thyroid artery, aorta and also from left gastric artery
  • venous drainage mainly into azygos vein
  • inferiorly venous drainage goes to hepatic portal circulation
    • given hepatic portal obstruction venous blood runs through veins of oesophagus; these veins enlarge and are prone to rupture

Nerve Supply

 

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