SURGERY OF THE ESOPHAGUS - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

The esophagus can be divided into three parts: cervical, thoracic, and abdominal. Its blood supply, lymphatic drainage, innervation, and arc hitecture of the esophageal wall are described. The topographic relati onships of the esophagus and the gastroesophageal junction with neighb oring structures are illustrated from the right and left thoroscopic a nd the laparoscopic viewpoints. Functionally, the esophagus consists o f the upper esophageal sphincter; the esophageal body; and the lower e sophageal sphincter. Their coordinated muscular activity transports th e food bolus into the stomach, while maintaining a barrier against ref lux of esophageal contents into the pharynx and gastric juice into the esophagus.