Oesophagus - Anatomy & Physiology

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ALIMENTARY SYSTEM



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 peristalsis.

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

Structure and Function

Oesophagus Anatomy - Copyright RVC 2008
  • Begins dorsal to cricoid cartilage of larynx
  • Follows trachea down neck, first on the left and then medially once in thorax in the mediastinum
  • Passes over heart then through the oesophageal hiatus of the diaphragm
  • Passes over the dorsal border of the liver then joins the stomach at the cardia
  • The cervical section is accompanied by the common carotid artery, the vagosympathetic trunk and the recurrent laryngeal nerves
  • The thoracic section is accompanied by the right and left vagus nerves (CN X)
  • Different proportions of striated muscle across the species
    • Dog and ruminant = 100%
    • Cat = 80% (rostral)
    • Horse = 65% (rostral)
    • Pig = 33% (rostral)


Histology

Oesophagus Histology (Rat) - Copyright RVC 2008
  • Stratified squamous epithelium
  • Mucosal folds for distension
  • Degree of keratinisation depend on diet
  • Lamina propria contains collagen and elastic fibres sparsely distributed
  • Lamina muscularis is smooth or skeletal muscle (depending on species)
  • No glands in mucosa
  • Mucous glands (tubulo-acinar) present in submucosa
  • Inner circular layer of tunica muscularis thickens near gastric junction forming a sphincter

Innervation

  • Sympathetic nerves
  • Parasympathetic from the vagus nerve (CN X) and recurrent laryngeal nerves
  • Myenteric plexus extends the length of the oesophagus

Species Differences

  • Mucous glands present in horse, cats and ruminants only at pharyngeal-oesophageal junction
  • 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.

Canine

  • No keratinisation
  • Lamina muscularis is skeletal muscle
  • Lamina muscularis present caudally (spirally aranged)
  • Lamina muscularis absent cranially
  • Mucous glands throughout but more abundant caudally

Equine

  • Some keratinisation

Ruminant

  • Heavily keratinised

Porcine

  • Lamina muscularis present caudally (very thick)
  • Lamina muscularis absent cranially
  • Some keratinisation
  • Mucous glands abundant cranially but absent caudally

Avian

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

Test yourself with the Oesophagus flashcards

Oesophagus Flashcards

Links

Oesophagus Pathology

Megaoesophagus