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Alt. of Oesophageal

Alt. of Oesophageal

See Esophagus.

See Esophagus.

Same as ESOPHAGUS.

That part of the alimentary canal between the pharynx and the stomach, or part equivalent thereto.

A musculo-membranous canal, cylindrical, and depressed from before to behind, which extends from the inferior extremity of the pharynx to the upper orifice of the stomach. At its origin, it is situate in the median line; but beneath the larynx, it deviates to the left, and in the chest experiences different reflections. In its cervical portion, it corresponds, behind, with the spine; before, with the larynx and trachea; and, at the sides, it is close to the primitive carotids, internal jugular veins, par vagum, recurrent nerves, &c. In its inferior or thoracic portion, the oesophagus is entirely contained in the posterior mediastinum; and enters the abdomen through the oesophagcal aperture, Foramen oesophageum, of the diaphragm. The oesophagus is composed of a very strong muscular layer, sometimes called Tunica vaginalis gulae; formed, itself, of two sets of fibres, the external being general longitudinal, the internal transverse or annular. 2. Of a mucous membrane which is soft, fine, thin, and white, especially at its lower part. It is continuous, above, with the mucous membrane of the pharynx. The mucous follicles, found beneath it, are not numerous, and have been called Oesophaegeal glands. The arteries of the oesophagus proceed, in the neck, from the thyroid; in the chest, from the bronchial arteries and directly from the aorta ;-in the abdomen, from the inferior phrenic, and coronaria vertriculi. Its veins empty themselves into the inferior thyroid, the vena cava superior, the internal mammary, azygos, bronchial, phrenic, and coronaria ventriculi. Its lymphatics pass into the ganglia surrounding it. Its nerves are afforded by the pharyngeal and pulmonary plexuses; by the cardiac nerves; the thoracic ganglia, and, especially, by the pneumogastrics and their recurrent branches.