esophagus

(ĭsŏf`əgəs), portion of the digestive tube that conducts food from the mouth to the stomach. When food is swallowed it passes from the pharynxpharynx
, area of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts which lies between the mouth and the esophagus. In humans, the pharynx is a cone-shaped tube about 4 1-2 in. (11.43 cm) long.
..... Click the link for more information. into the esophagus, initiating rhythmic contractions (peristalsis) of the esophageal wall, which propel the food along toward the stomach. The walls of the esophagus are lined with mucous glands that continue the lubrication of the food as it is conducted to the stomach. The human esophagus is about 10 in. (25 cm) long and 1 in. (2.5 cm) in diameter. See digestive systemdigestive system,
in the animal kingdom, a group of organs functioning in digestion and assimilation of food and elimination of wastes. Virtually all animals have a digestive system. In the vertebrates (phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata) the digestive system is very complex.
..... Click the link for more information. .

Esophagus

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 Digestive system

Esophagus

the part of the alimentary canal of animals and man through which food passes. In invertebrates, the esophagus begins at the mouth opening or pharynx, extending in some animals to the beginning of the midgut or glandular stomach and in others to the masticatory stomach. In some flatworms and annelids, the esophagus is a tube connecting the pharynx to the midgut. Among mollusks, the esophagus is well developed only in gastropods and cephalopods, forming in many of these mollusks an ingluvies (crop). In arachnids and insects, the esophagus begins at the pharynx, and in crustaceans and myriapods, at the mouth opening. In higher crustaceans, king crabs, and most insects, the posterior section becomes the masticatory stomach, in which food is ground up. In echinoderms, the esophagus connects the mouth opening to the midgut; in most vertebrates, it connects the pharynx to the stomach. The length of the esophagus varies with the length of the cervical and thoracic parts of the trunk. In birds the esophagus is very long and forms the crop.

In man, the esophagus is a muscular tube about 25 cm long. It enters the abdominal cavity through the esophageal opening of the diaphragm and reaches the cardia. The esophagus narrows in three places: where it leaves the pharynx, where the trachea becomes divided into bronchi, and where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm. The walls of the esophagus consist of a layer of areolar tissue, an underlying muscular layer of external longitudinal and internal circular fibers, and a submucous layer and mucous membrane; the glands are situated in the submucous layer and the mucous membrane. The esophagus is innervated by the sympathetic, vagus, and cerebrospinal nerves. It is supplied with blood through the arterial branches of the inferior thyroid and subclavian arteries, thoracic aorta, and left gastric artery. The muscles of the esophagus contract reflexly during every swallowing movement. The contractions are in the form of waves originating in the upper part of the esophagus and extending along the entire length. The muscles arranged in rings contract successively, causing the bolus to move downward. Solid food passes through the esophagus in eight to nine sec on the average, and liquid food in one to two sec.

Diseases of the esophagus, which may be congenital or acquired, include such anomalies as atresia, congenital stenosis, and cysts; esophageal atony and paralysis; achalasia; diverticulum; hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm; and esophagitis (inflammatory lesions), which may be acute, subacute, or chronic. Peptic esophagitis (reflux esophagitis) is caused by the repeated effects of active gastric juice, bile, or intestinal or pancreatic juice on the esophageal mucosa. Other esophageal irregularities include tuberculosis, syphilis, mycotic lesions, allergic and drug-induced lesions, and the presence of foreign bodies, in addition to injuries, burns, stenosis, benign and malignant tumors, and varicosity. Among the methods used to diagnose esophageal diseases are auscultation, roentgenologic and radio-isotopic examinations, esophagoscopy, biopsy and cytologic examination, and blind bougienage. Treatment, whether dietetic, medicamentous, or surgical, depends on the nature of the disease.

REFERENCES

Vasilenko, V. Kh., A. L. Grebenev, and M. M. Sal’man. Bolezni pishchevoda. Moscow, 1971.
Gastroenterology, 2nd ed., vol. 1. Edited by H. Bockus. Philadelphia-London, 1963.

esophagus

[ə′säf·ə·gəs] (anatomy) The tubular portion of the alimentary canal interposed between the pharynx and the stomach. Also known as gullet.

oesophagus

(US), esophagus the part of the alimentary canal between the pharynx and the stomach; gullet

Esophagus

esophagus

[ĕ-sof´ah-gus] the musculomembranous passage extending from the pharynx to the stomach, 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) long in an adult, consisting of an outer fibrous coat, a muscular layer, a submucous layer, and an inner mucous membrane. The junction between the stomach and esophagus is closed by a muscular ring known as the cardiac sphincter, which opens to allow the passage of food into the stomach. See also digestive system and Plates.Disorders of the Esophagus. The most common disorders of the esophagus often involve either an obstruction or a backward flow of food and gastric juice (reflux" >gastroesophageal reflux). Foreign bodies, accidentally swallowed and lodged in the esophageal passage, can obstruct the flow of foods and fluids, as can malignant or benign tumors. The term achalasia is used to describe a particular disturbance in motility which leads to obstruction at the level of the cardiac sphincter.
Esophagitis, inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the esophagus, may occur in conjunction with gastroenteritis or as a result of reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. The symptoms of hernia" >hiatal hernia are due in large part to this type of reflux. Hiatal hernia is a protrusion of the stomach, colon, or other intestinal organs through the esophageal hiatus, a narrow opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus normally passes. When the herniation occurs the normal downward passage of food is interrupted.
varices" >Esophageal varices are varicose veins of the esophagus and occur most often as a result of obstruction in the portal circulation, especially in portal hypertension. They are potentially dangerous since they tend to rupture easily and may result in serious hemorrhage. Visual examination of the interior lining of the esophagus is accomplished by esophagoscopy.

e·soph·a·gus

, pl.

e·soph·a·gi

(ĕ-sof'ă-gŭs, -jī), [TA] The portion of the alimentary canal between the pharynx and stomach. It is about 25-cm long and consists of three parts: the cervical part, from the cricoid cartilage to the thoracic inlet; the thoracic part, from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm; and the abdominal part, below the diaphragm to the cardiac opening of the stomach. [G. oisophagos, gullet]

esophagus

also

oesophagus

(ĭ-sŏf′ə-gəs)n. pl. esopha·gi (-jī′, -gī′) The muscular tube by which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach; the gullet.

e·soph′a·ge′al (-jē′əl) adj.

oesophagus

The tubular segment of the upper gastrointestinal tract which connects the mouth with the stomach, spelled oesophagus in the UK and esophagus in the US.

esophagus

See Esophageal etc.

e·soph·a·gus

, pl. esophagi (ĕ-sof'ă-gŭs, -jī) [TA] The portion of the digestive canal between the pharynx and stomach. It is about 25 cm long and consists of three parts: the cervical, from the cricoid cartilage to the thoracic inlet; the thoracic, from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm; and the abdominal, below the diaphragm to the cardiac opening of the stomach.
Synonym(s): oesophagus. [G. oisophagos, gullet]

esophagus

(e-sof'a-gus) (-gi?, -ji?) plural.esophagi [Gr. oisophagos]

ESOPHAGUS: (as seen through an endoscope)The muscular tube, about 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) long, that carries swallowed foods and liquids from the pharynx to the stomach. In the upper third of the esophagus, the muscle is striated; in the middle third, striated and smooth; and in the lower third, entirely smooth. Peristalsis is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. At the junction with the stomach is the lower esophageal sphincter, which relaxes to permit passage of food, then contracts to prevent backup of stomach contents. esophageal (e-sof?a-je'al), adjective See: illustration

Barrett esophagus

See: Barrett esophagus

black esophagus

Necrotizing esophagitis.

FOREIGN BODY IN ESOPHAGUS: Meat impaction in the lower esophageal sphincter

foreign bodies in the esophagus

Items trapped in the esophagus (typically fishbones, coins, or large unchewed pieces of food). Parenteral glucagon may help the material pass through the esophageal sphincter to the stomach, but endoscopic retrieval of the material is usually necessary. See: illustration

Esophagus

The tube connecting the throat to the stomach, which is about ten inches long in adults. It is coated with mucus and surrounded by muscles, and pushes food to the stomach by sequential waves of contraction. It functions to transport food from the throat to the stomach and to keep the contents of the stomach in the stomach.Mentioned in: Achalasia, Antigastroesophageal Reflux Drugs, Bariatric Surgery, Bleeding Varices, Cutis Laxa, Failure to Thrive, Hypothermia, Lower Esophageal Ring, Sclerotherapy for Esophageal Varices

e·soph·a·gus

, pl. esophagi (ĕ-sof'ă-gŭs, -jī) [TA] Portion of alimentary canal between pharynx and stomach. It is about 25-cm long and consists of three parts: the cervical part, from the cricoid cartilage to the thoracic inlet; the thoracic part, from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm; and the abdominal part, below the diaphragm to the cardiac opening of the stomach. [G. oisophagos, gullet]

Patient discussion about Esophagus

Q. do we need the esophagus to live? If we were to take our esophagus away would we still live?A. Principally, yes. Feeding can be done through a hole in the stomach (PEG). Life is possible this way, although one may argue about the quality of life in this situation.

Q. Cn barret esophagous be cured? I was diagnosed with barretts esophagus several years ago, and so far keeps on the routine follow up. I met some other guy with same condition and he told after his doctor prescribed him with some anti-reflux meds, in the last endoscopy they found normal esophagus, and that he thinks he's now cured. Is that possible?A. Anti-reflux treatment may lower the risk of cancer a little, but it won't cure it, so there's still a need for refular follow-up.

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Synonyms for esophagus

noun the passage between the pharynx and the stomach

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