Chapter 66 The Oesophagus

The oesophagus is a muscular tube connecting the pharynx to the stomach. It starts at the level of the cricoid cartilage and ends at the oesophagogastric junction. In the neck, it descends behind the trachea and anteriorly to the vertebral column following its curvature into the thorax. There are multiple relative constrictions along the oesophagus. First is the upper oesophageal sphincter; second is where the arch of the aorta/left main bronchus crosses the oesophagus; and third is the lower oesophageal sphincter. As a posterior mediastinal structure, the oesophagus is normally obscured on plain radiographs by other structures such as the spine, major vessels, airway and heart. Endoscopy is an essential tool with both diagnostic and therapeutic roles. Endoscopic ultrasonography relies on a high-frequency transducer to provide highly detailed images of the layers of the oesophageal wall and mediastinal structures close to the oesophagus.

Advanced Learning Content
Chapter 66: The Oesophagus
Multiple Choice Questions
Weblinks

Journal articles

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10120-019-01022-x/ (free)

The article discusses in detail the various surgical approaches for cancer of the oesophagogastric junction; a controversial area.

https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/AITC202005050/ (paid)

An up-to-date and concise summary of eosinophilic oesophagitis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8034247/ (free)

The latest Chicago classification on the diagnosis of oesophageal motility disorders using high-resolution manometry.

Guidelines

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00268-018-4786-4/ (free)

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guidelines for oesophagectomy as recommended by the ERAS Society.

https://academic.oup.com/dote/article/31/9/doy071/5087687/ (free)

Guidelines for the treatment of achalasia.

  Back To TopTo top