Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The oesophagus (or gullet) is a muscular tube which transports food from the pharynx to the stomach. A bolus of food is passed down the oesophagus by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peristalsis| peristalsis].

The oesophagus (or gullet) is a muscular tube which transports food from the [[Pharynx - Anatomy & Physiology|pharynx]] to the [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|stomach]]. A bolus of food is passed down the oesophagus by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peristalsis| peristalsis].

The oesophagus is divided into cevical, thoracic and abdominal sections.

The oesophagus is divided into cevical, thoracic and abdominal sections.

[[Image:Oesophagus anatomy.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Oesophagus Anatomy - Copyright RVC 2008]]

[[Image:Oesophagus anatomy.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Oesophagus Anatomy - Copyright RVC 2008]]

*Begins dorsal to cricoid cartilage of larynx

*Begins dorsal to cricoid cartilage of [[Larynx - Anatomy & Physiology|larynx]]

*Follows trachea down neck, first on the left and then medially once in thorax in the mediastinum

*Follows trachea down neck, first on the left and then medially once in thorax in the mediastinum

*Passes over [[Heart - Anatomy & Physiology|heart]] then through the oesophageal hiatus of the diaphragm

*Passes over [[Heart - Anatomy & Physiology|heart]] then through the oesophageal hiatus of the diaphragm

*Passes over the dorsal border of the liver then joins the stomach at the cardia

*Passes over the dorsal border of the [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] then joins the [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|stomach]] at the cardia

*The cervical section is accompanied by the common carotid artery, the vagosympathetic trunk and the recurrent laryngeal nerves

*The cervical section is accompanied by the common carotid artery, the vagosympathetic trunk and the recurrent laryngeal nerves

*Thick and strong sphincter of tunica muscularis in dogs and pigs

*Thick and strong sphincter of tunica muscularis in dogs and pigs

*Ruminants, horse and pig have stratified squamous epithelium continuing from oesophagus into stomach. Carnivores have an abrupt transition to columnar epithelium.

*Ruminants, horse and pig have stratified squamous epithelium continuing from oesophagus into [[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|stomach]]. Carnivores have an abrupt transition to columnar epithelium.

===Canine===

===Canine===

*See [[Crop- Anatomy and Physiology|the crop]]

*See [[Crop- Anatomy and Physiology|the crop]]

*Ducks have an oesophangeal tonsil present in the caudal segment of oesophagus

*Ducks have an oesophangeal [[Tonsils - Anatomy & Physiology|tonsil]] present in the caudal segment of oesophagus

==Links==

==Links==