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Esophagus in X-ray image
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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To study the esophagus, the method of filling it with radiopaque mass (insoluble barium sulfate) is used, which fills the lumen of the esophagus and gives a longitudinal shadow on the screen, clearly visible on the "enlightened" background of the pulmonary fields between the vertebral column and the heart. In addition to the three indicated constrictions, the esophagus has a narrowing in the place of its passage into the stomach visible on the radiographs.
Innervation of the esophagus: vagus nerves, thoracic aortic sympathetic plexus.
Blood supply: the lower thyroid artery, the thoracic part of the aorta, the esophagus branch of the left gastric artery. Venous outflow: along the esophageal veins into the lower thyroid vein, unpaired and semiparic veins, left gastric vein.
Outflow of lymph: from the neck part of the esophagus to the deep lateral lymph nodes of the neck, from the thoracic part to the pre-vertebral, the posterior mediastinal, and from the ventral part to the left gastric lymph nodes. Part of the lymphatic vessels of the esophagus passes the lymph nodes, directly flowing into the thoracic duct.
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