The esophagus, a 25 cm long muscular tube, extends from the pharynx to the stomach and is divided into cervical, thoracic, and abdominal parts. It has three anatomical constrictions and is supplied by various arteries, veins, and nerves, with clinical relevance to conditions such as esophageal varices and gastroesophageal reflux. Normal functions include swallowing mechanisms and peristalsis, while various abnormalities and diseases can impact its structure and function.

1. ESOPHAGUS
1

2. ESOPHAGUS
• Oesophagus is the immediate continuation of
pharynx and conduit for food and fluids into
the stomach.
• 25 cm in length,2 cm in diameter, a flattened
muscular tube that extends from (lower
border of cricoid cartilage) C6 to cardiac
orifice of the stomach at T 10 level vertebrae.
• It runs vertically but inclines to the left from its
origin to thoracic inlet and again from T7 to
Oesophageal opening in the diaphragm.
• It is divided into 3 parts:
– 1- Cervical.
– 2- Thoracic.
– 3- Abdominal.
• Proximal and distal- oncosurgery
Abdominal
thoracic
Cervical
2

3. 3
CERVICAL PART
• Posteriorly
• Post: Vertebral
column.
• Laterally:
• Lat: Lobes of the
thyroid gland.
• Anteriorly:
• Ant: Trachea and
the recurrent
laryngeal nerves.
RELATIONS

4. 4
THORACIC PART
• In the thorax, it passes
downward and to the left
through superior then to
posterior mediastinum
• At the level of the sternal
angle, the aortic arch
pushes the esophagus again
to the midline.

5. 5
ANTERIOR
RELATIONS
• Trachea
• Left recurrent
laryngeal
nerve
• Left principal
bronchus
• Pericardium
• Left atrium
Thoracic part

6. POSTERIOR RELATIONS – Thoracic duct
• Bodies of the thoracic vertebrae
• Thoracic duct
• Azygos vein
• Right posterior intercostal arteries
• Descending thoracic aorta (at the
lower end)
6

7. LATERAL RELATION
• On the Right side:
• Right mediastinal pleura
• Terminal part of the azygos vein.
• On the Left side:
• Left mediastinal pleura
• Left subclavian artery
• Aortic arch
• Thoracic duct
7

8. 8
RELATIONS IN THE ABDOMEN
• In the Abdomen, the esophagus
descends for 1.3 cm and joins the
stomach.
• Anteriorly, left lobe of the
liver.
• Posteriorly, left crus of the
diaphragm.
• Fibers from the right crus of the
diaphragm form a sling around
the esophagus.
• At the opening of the diaphragm,
the esophagus is accompanied
by:
– The two vagi
– Branches of the left gastric
vessels
– Lymphatic vessels.

9. ESOPHAGEAL
CONSTRICTIONS
• The esophagus has 3
anatomic constrictions.
• The first is at the junction with
the
pharynx(pharyngeoesophageal
junction).
• The second is at the crossing
with the aortic arch and the left
main bronchus.
• The third is at the junction with
the stomach.

10. 1. They may cause difficulties in passing
an endoscope.
2. In case of swallowing of caustic liquids
(mostly in children), this is where the
burning is the worst and strictures
develop.
3. The esophageal strictures are a
common sites of the development of
esophageal carcinoma.

11. 11
ARTERIAL
SUPPLY
• Upper third by the
inferior thyroid
artery.
• The middle third by
the thoracic aorta.
• The lower third by
the left gastric
artery.

12. VENOUS
DRAINAGE
• The upper third
drains in into the
inferior thyroid
veins.
• The middle third
into the azygos
veins.
• The lower third into
the left gastric
vein, which is a
tributary of the
portal vein.
• NB. Esophageal
varices.

13. LYMPH DRAINAGE
• The upper third is drained into the
deep cervical nodes.
• The middle third is drained into the
superior and inferior mediastinal
nodes.
• The lower third is drained in the
celiac lymph nodes in the
abdomen.
13

14. NERVE SUPPLY
• It is supplied by sympathetic fibers from
the sympathetic trunks.
• The parasympathetic supply comes form
the vagus nerves.
• Inferior to the roots of the lungs, the
vagus nerves join the sympathetic nerves
to form the esophageal plexus.
• The left vagus lies anterior to the
esophagus.
• The right vagus lies posterior to it.
14

15. 15
CARDIAC ORIFICE
• It is the site of the
gastro- esophageal
sphincter.
• It is a physiological
rather than an
anatomical, sphincter.
• Consists of a circular
layer of smooth muscle
(under vagal and
hormonal control).
• Function:
• Prevents (GER)
regurgitation (reflux)
• NB. Notice the abrupt
mucosal transition from
esophagus to stomach
(Z- line)

16. HISTOLOGY
1. Mucosa –
– epithelium
– Basement membrane
– Lamina Propria
2. Submucosa- strongest layer
3. Muscular propria-
– Inner circular
– Outer longitudinal
4. Adventitia –visceral
peritoneum

17. Musculature
• The musculature of the
upper esophagus & UES is
striated.
• This is followed by a
transitional zone of both
striated and smooth muscle.
• proportion of the smooth
muscle. progressively
increasing.
• In the lower half of the
esophagus, there is only
smooth muscle.
• It is lined throughout with

18. Periesophageal Tissue, Compartments, and
Fascial Planes
• Unlike the general structure of the digestive tract, the
esophageal tube has neither mesentery nor serosal
coating.
• Its position within the mediastinum and a complete
envelope of loose connective tissue allow the
esophagus extensive transverse and longitudinal mobility.
• The esophagus may be subjected to easy blunt stripping
from the mediastinum.

19. Clinical relevance
• The connective tissues in which the esophagus and
trachea are embedded are bounded by fascial planes,
– the pretracheal fascia anteriorly and
– the prevertebral fascia posteriorly.
• In the upper part of the chest, both fascia unite to form the
carotid sheath.

20. Tunica Adventitia
• This thin coat of loose
connective tissue
envelops the esophagus.
• connects it to adjacent
structures,
• contains small vessels,
lymphatic channels, and
nerves.

21. Tunica Muscularis
• The tunica muscularis coats
the lumen of the esophagus
in two layers :
• the external muscle layer
parallels the longitudinal
axis of the tube,
• the muscle fibers of the
inner layer are arranged in
the horizontal axis.
• For this reason, these
muscle layers are classically

22. Tela Submucosa
• The submucosa is the connective tissue layer that lies
between the muscular coat and the mucosa.
• It contains a meshwork of small blood and lymph vessels,
nerves, and mucous glands.
• The duct of deep esophageal glands pierce the
muscularis mucosae.

23. Tunica Mucosa
• The mucous layer is composed of three components:
– the muscularis mucosae,
– the tunica / lamina propria, and
– the inner lining of nonkeratinizing stratified squamous
epithelium .

24. EMBRYOLOGY OF
OESOPHAGUS
• At the 4th week, a respirator
diverticulum appears in the
ventral wall of the foregut at
the border with the pharynx.
• A tracheoesophageal septum
forms, gradually separating
the ventral respiratory
diverticulum from the dorsal
part of the fore gut hence,
giving rise to a ventral
Respiratory primodium and
dorsally the Oesophagus.
• With the descent of the heart
and oesophagus, the
oesophagus which was initially
short, lengthens rapidly.

25. Physiology
• The upper oesophageal sphincter starts at the upper
border of oesophagus and is about 3–5 cm in length and
functions during the act of swallowing.
• The lower oesophageal sphincter is situated at lower
portion of oesophagus. It is also 3–5 cm in length and
functions to prevent oesophageal reflux.Middle portion of
oesophagus shows active peristalsis. The waves are
weaker in the upper part, becoming gradually stronger
towards the lower portion.

26. The act of swallowing is divided into three phases:
1. Oral or buccal phase: The food which is placed in the mouth
is chewed, lubricated with saliva, converted into a bolus and
then propelled into the pharynx by elevation of the tongue
against the palate.
2. Pharyngeal phase: It is initiated when the bolus of food
comes into contact with pharyngeal mucosa. A series of reflex
actions take place carrying the food past oro and
laryngopharynx into the oesophagus. The communications
into nasopharynx, oral cavity and larynx are cut off.

27. (a)Closure of nasopharynx:Soft palate contracts against the
Passavant’s ridge on the posterior pharyngeal wall and
completely cuts off the nasopharynx from the oropharynx
(b)Closure of oropharyngeal isthmus:The entry of food back into
oral cavity is prevented by contraction of tongue against the
palate and sphincteric action of palatoglossal muscles
(c) Closure of larynx:Aspiration into the larynx is prevented by
temporary cessation of respiration, closure of laryngeal inlet by
contraction of aryepiglottic folds, closure of false and true cords,
and rising of larynx under the base of tongue.
(d) Contraction of pharyngeal muscles and relaxation of
cricopharyngeus: Relaxation of cricopharyngeus muscles is so
timed and synchronous that food passes from pharynx into the

28. ATRESIA
• Atresia is absence of opening (lumen)/ noncanalization.
• Atresia, in which a thin, noncanalized cord replaces a
segment of esophagus, is more common. Atresia occurs
most commonly at or near the tracheal bifurcation and
usually is associated with a fistula connecting the upper or
lower esophageal pouches to a bronchus or the trachea.
This abnormal connection can result in aspiration,
suffocation, pneumonia, or severe fluid and electrolyte
imbalances

30. STENOSIS
• Abnormal narrowing of the esophageal lumen is called
esophageal stenosis. Passage of food can be impeded by
esophageal stenosis.
• The narrowing generally is caused by fibrous thickening of
the submucosa, atrophy of the muscularis propria, and
secondary epithelial damage. Stenosis most often is due
to inflammation and scarring, which may be caused by
chronic gastroesophageal reflux, irradiation, or caustic
(acid) injury.
• Stenosis associated dysphagia usually is progressive;
difficulty eating solids typically occurs long before

31. HIATUS HERNIA
• Hiatus hernia is the herniation or protrusion of part of
the stomach through the oesophageal hiatus (opening)
of the diaphragm.
• Congenital hiatal hernias are recognized in infants and
children, but many are acquired in later life. Hiatal
hernia is symptomatic in fewer than 10% of adults, and
these cases are generally associated with other causes
of LES incompetence. Symptoms, including heartburn
and regurgitation of gastric juices, are similar to GERD.

32. • The basic defect is the failure of the muscle fibres of the
diaphragm that form the margin of the oesophageal hiatus.
This occurs due to shortening of the esophagus which may
be congenital or acquired.
• More commonly, it is acquired due to secondary factors
which cause fibrous scarring of the oesophagus as follows:
• Degeneration of muscle due to aging.
• Increased intra-abdominal pressure such as in pregnancy,
abdominal tumours etc.
• Recurrent oesophageal regurgitation and spasm causing
inflammation and fibrosis.
• Increase in fatty tissue in obese people causing decreased

33. • There are 3 patterns in hiatus hernia :
• Sliding or oesophago-gastric hernia is the most common, occurring
in 85% of cases. The herniated part of the stomach appears as
supradiaphragmatic bell due to sliding up on both sides of the
oesophagus.
• Rolling or para-oesophageal hernia is seen in 10% of cases.This is a
true hernia in which cardiac end of the stomach rolls up para-
oesophageally, producing an intrathoracic sac.
• Mixed or transitional hernia constitutes the remaining 5% cases in
which there is combination of sliding and rolling hiatus hernia

35. Treatment
• Mainly it is surgical; the hernia is reduced and
diaphragmatic opening repaired. Early cases and those
unfit for surgery may be treated conservatively to reduce
reflux oesophagitis by measures such as (i) sleeping with
head and chest raised, (ii) avoidance of smoking, (iii) use
of drugs that reduce acidity (antacids and proton pump
inhibitors), (iv) reduction of obesity and (v) attention to the
causes which raises intra-abdominal pressure

36. ESOPHAGEAL VARICES
• Esophageal varices are tortuous, dilated and engorged
esophageal veins, seen along the longitudinal axis of
esophagus. They occur as a result of elevated pressure in
the portal venous system, most commonly in cirrhosis of
the liver .
• Less common causes are: portal vein thrombosis, hepatic
vein thrombosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome) and
pylephlebitis. The lesions occur as a result of bypassing
of portal venous blood from the liver to the oesophageal
venous plexus. The increased venous pressure in the
superficial veins of the esophagus may result in ulceration

37. • Instead of returning directly to the heart, venous blood
from the gastrointestinal tract is delivered to the liver
via the portal vein before reaching the inferior vena
cava. This circulatory pattern is responsible for the first-
pass effect, in which drugs and other materials
absorbed in the intestines are processed by the liver
before entering the systemic circulation. Diseases that
impede this flow cause portal hypertension, which can
lead to the development of esophageal varices, an
important cause of esophageal bleeding.

38. • One of the few sites where the splanchnic (visceral) and
systemic venous circulations can communicate is the
esophagus. Thus, portal hypertension induces development of
collateral channels that allow portal blood to shunt (divert) into
the caval system.
• However, these collateral veins enlarge the subepithelial and
submucosal venous plexi within the distal esophagus. These
vessels, termed varices, develop in 90% of cirrhotic patients,
most commonly in association with alcoholic liver disease.
Worldwide, hepatic schistosomiasis is the second most common
cause of varices.
• Varices can be detected by angiography and appear as tortuous
dilated veins lying primarily within the submucosa of the distal

83. GERD(Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux)
• It is due to decreased function of lower oesophageal sphincter thus
permitting regurgitation of gastric contents into oesophagus. Other
causes of gastro-oesophageal reflux are pregnancy, hiatus hernia,
scleroderma, excessive use of tobacco and alcohol, and drugs that relax
the smooth muscle (anticholinergic, beta-adrenergic drugs and calcium-
channel blockers).
• The symptoms of oesophageal reflux include substernal pain, heartburn
and regurgitation.
• The treatment consists of:1. Elevation of the head of bed at night.2.
Avoiding food at least 3 h before bedtime.3. Antacids.4. Drugs that
increase tone of lower oesophageal sphincter,e.g. metoclopramide.5. H2
receptor antagonists, e.g. cimetidine and ranitidine.6. Avoiding smoking,
alcohol, caffeine, chocolates, mintsand carbonated drinks.7. Antireflux

120. Neoplasms Of Oesophagus
BENIGN NEOPLASMS
Benign neoplasms are rare compared to malignant ones
• Leiomyoma is the most common and accounts for two- thirds of all the benign
neoplasms. It arises from the smooth muscle and grows in the wall of
oesophagus. Dysphagia is produced when tumour exceeds the diameter of 5
cm. Barium swallow shows an ovoid filling defect. Endoscopy reveals a
submucosal swelling. Biopsy should not be taken. Treatment is enucleation of
the tumour by thoracotomy.
• Mucosal polyps, lipomas, fibromas and haemangiomas are other benign
tumours. They are often pedunculated and present in the oesophageal lumen.
Endoscopic removal is avoided because of the danger of oesophageal
perforation. Treatment is surgical excision by oesophagotomy