Esophagus – anatomy, function and diseases

Synonyms

Pharynx, esophageal opening

Introduction

The esophagus is on average 25-30 cm long in adults. It is a muscle tube that connects the oral cavity and the stomach and is mainly responsible for the transport of food after ingestion. from the larynx to the diaphragm

  • Cricoid cartilage quantity
  • Aortic stenosis (end of the abdominal artery)
  • Diaphragm tightness
  • Thyroid gland
  • A.

    carotis (carotid artery)

  • Trachea (windpipe)
  • Right main brochius (bronchi)
  • Oesophagus
  • Diaphragm (diaphragm)

The esophagus is on average 25-30 cm long in adults. It is a muscle tube that connects the oral cavity and the stomach and is mainly responsible for the transport of food after ingestion. The esophagus can be divided into three parts: The esophagus is not equally strong in all sections.

In its course there are several natural constrictions: These result from the positional relationship of the esophagus to other organs: These narrow points are particularly at risk for injuries to the esophagus from foreign bodies and burns (alkaline solutions, acids). Several tissue layers can be distinguished at the cross-section of the esophagus: Layer structure of the esophagus from the inside to the outside:

  • The first narrowness lies directly behind the larynx and forms with only 13 mm on average the narrowest place; one calls it also the esophageal mouth.
  • The second constriction is located at the level of the inverted arc of the aorta in the thorax.
  • The last constriction is formed by the muscle tube of the diaphragm at the entrance to the abdominal cavity. This structure is also called the lower esophageal sphincter.
  • Tunica mucosa: This innermost layer of the esophagus forms the esophageal mucosa.

    It consists of three lower layers: Because of the strong mechanical stress, the esophagus is lined by multi-layered mucosa (unkeratinized squamous epithelium). The lamina propria is a loose layer of connective tissue The lamina muscularis mucosae is a narrow muscle layer that adapts the surface of the mucosa to the food.

  • Because of the strong mechanical stress, the esophagus is lined by multi-layered mucosa (unkeratinized squamous epithelium).
  • The Lamina propria is a loose connective tissue shifting layer
  • The lamina muscularis mucosae is a narrow muscle layer that adapts the surface of the mucosa to the food.
  • Tela submucosa: This is a loose layer of connective tissue. The main function is that of a shifting layer.

    This is also where the oesophageal glands (Glandulae ösophageae) are located. The Glandulae esophageae are glands that form an esophageal mucus, which makes the mucosa slippery. In addition, a venous plexus (vascular plexus), which is particularly pronounced in the lowest section of the esophagus, spreads out in this layer of the esophagus.

  • Tunica muscularis: The tunica muscularis consists of a two-part muscle layer: The stratum circulare is a ring-shaped and helical muscle layer that contracts in a wave-like manner and ensures the forward transport of food (peristalsis = wave movement).

    The longitudinal stratum is a muscle layer running longitudinally to the esophagus. It is able to shorten the esophagus section by section by means of controlled muscle tension (contraction) and also provides for its longitudinal tension (= wave movement). Tunica adventitia: This cushion of connective tissue connects the esophagus with its neighboring structures, e.g. the trachea.

    It is only a loose connection, so that the mobility required for peristalsis remains guaranteed.

  • The stratum circulare is a ring-shaped and helical muscle layer that contracts in a wave-like manner and ensures the forward transport of food (peristalsis = wave movement).
  • The longitudinal stratum is a muscle layer running lengthwise to the esophagus. By means of controlled muscle tension (contraction), it is able to shorten the esophagus in sections and also ensures its longitudinal tension (= wave movement).
  • Tunica adventitia: This cushion of connective tissue connects the esophagus with its neighboring structures, e.g. the trachea.It is only a loose connection, so that the mobility required for peristalsis is guaranteed.
  • Because of the strong mechanical stress, the esophagus is lined by multi-layered mucosa (unkeratinized squamous epithelium).
  • The Lamina propria is a loose connective tissue shifting layer
  • The lamina muscularis mucosae is a narrow muscle layer that adapts the surface of the mucosa to the food.
  • The stratum circulare is a ring-shaped and helical muscle layer that contracts in a wave-like manner and ensures the forward transport of food (peristalsis = wave movement).
  • The longitudinal stratum is a muscle layer running lengthwise to the esophagus. By means of controlled muscle tension (contraction), it is able to shorten the esophagus in sections and also ensures its longitudinal tension (= wave movement).
  • Tunica adventitia: This cushion of connective tissue connects the esophagus with its neighboring structures, e.g. the trachea.

    It is only a loose connection, so that the mobility required for peristalsis remains guaranteed.

  • Neck part: The esophagus begins behind the larynx. The part of the neck is the part of the esophagus up to the entrance to the chest.
  • Chest section: The chest section (in the thorax) is the longest part of the total length of the esophagus, at about 16 cm. Here, the esophagus lies in immediate proximity to the windpipe (trachea), strictly speaking it lies behind this and somewhat to the left shifted.

    In its further course, the esophagus then lies behind the heart (Cor).

  • Abdominal part: The esophagus then reaches the abdominal cavity (abdomen) through an opening in the diaphragm (hiatus esophageus). In the abdomen it is only 1-4 cm long and then opens into the stomach. The opening in the diaphragm is formed by a loop of the diaphragm muscle, which closes the entrance to the stomach when inhaled deeply. This mechanism can be disturbed and thus gain disease value (reflux esophagitis).
  • Throat
  • Esophageal esophagus
  • Gastric entrance at diaphragm level (diaphragm)
  • Stomach (Gaster)