Human Anatomy Vol 1

Trachea and

left recurrent

laryngeal nerve

Left lung

Right and

left principal

bronchi

Vena ayzgos

Thoracic duct

Oesophagus

and its plexus

Diaphragm

Vena azygos

Thoracic duct

(c)

Figs 20.5a to c: Outline drawings of three sections through the
oesophagus at different levels of thoracic vertebrae

TRACHEA, OESOPHAGUS AND THORACIC DUCT

Oesophagus

Thoracic duct

Arch of aorta

Left pulmonary artery

Left bronchus

Outllne of pericardium and heart

Oesophagus

Muscular ring formed by right crus

of diaphragm

Stomach

To ttue Left

1 Aortic arch.

2 Left subclavian artery.

3 Thoracic duct.

4 Left lung and pleura.

5 Left recurrent laryrgeal nerve, all in the superior

mediastinum (see Figi fO.S and 19.9).

In the posterior mediastinum, it is related to:

L The descending thoracic aorta.

2 The left lung and mediastinal pleura (seeFig.1,6.3).

Arleriol Supply

1 The cervical part including the segment up to the arch

of aorta is supplied by the inferior thyroid arteries.

2 The thoracic part is supplied by the oesophageal

branches of the aorta.

3 The abdominal part is supplied by the oesophageal

branches of the Ieft gastric artery.

Blood from the upper part of the oesophagus drains

into the brachiocephalic veins; from the middle part it

goes to the azygos veins; and fr.om the lower end it

goes to the left gastric vein and vena azygos via

hemiazygos vein. The lower end of the oesophagus is

one of the sites of portosystemic anastomoses.

The cervical part drains to the deep cervical nodes; the

thoracic partto the posterior mediastinalnodes; and the

abdominal part to the left gastric nodes.

1 Parcsympathetic nerTres: The upper half of the

oesophagus is supplied by the recurrent laryngeal

Azygos vein

Right pulmonary artery

Azygos vein

Thoracic duct

Descen{ing thoracic aorta

Fig.2O.4: Structures in the posterior mediastinum seen after removal of the heart and pericardium

carotid artery

Left vagus

Left

subclavian

artery

Brachiocephalic

trunk

Right vagus

Oesophagus

and thoracic

duct

Right lung

Third thoracic vertebra

Fifth thoracic vertebra

Eighth thoracic vertebra