Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the three main parts of the esophagus?
What are the three main parts of the esophagus?
Which structure contributes to the formation of the upper esophageal sphincter?
Which structure contributes to the formation of the upper esophageal sphincter?
Where is the gastro-esophageal junction located in relation to the T11 vertebra?
Where is the gastro-esophageal junction located in relation to the T11 vertebra?
Which of the following anatomical constrictions of the esophagus is NOT part of the ABCD acronym?
Which of the following anatomical constrictions of the esophagus is NOT part of the ABCD acronym?
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What is the primary use of a plain radiograph in assessing the esophagus?
What is the primary use of a plain radiograph in assessing the esophagus?
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Which part of the pharynx is located behind the opening of the oral cavity?
Which part of the pharynx is located behind the opening of the oral cavity?
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Where is the laryngopharynx located in relation to the epiglottis?
Where is the laryngopharynx located in relation to the epiglottis?
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What anatomical structure is located at the upper end of the pharynx?
What anatomical structure is located at the upper end of the pharynx?
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Which part of the pharynx communicates with both the nasal cavity and the oropharynx?
Which part of the pharynx communicates with both the nasal cavity and the oropharynx?
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What is the lower limit of the nasopharynx?
What is the lower limit of the nasopharynx?
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Which cervical vertebra corresponds to the level where the esophagus commences?
Which cervical vertebra corresponds to the level where the esophagus commences?
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The tubal tonsil is located around the opening of which anatomical structure?
The tubal tonsil is located around the opening of which anatomical structure?
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What type of anatomical structure is the pharynx primarily characterized as?
What type of anatomical structure is the pharynx primarily characterized as?
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What measurement indicates the shadow thickness anterior to the upper cervical vertebrae?
What measurement indicates the shadow thickness anterior to the upper cervical vertebrae?
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Which anatomical structures can be visualized on lateral radiographs?
Which anatomical structures can be visualized on lateral radiographs?
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What is the primary purpose of a barium swallow study?
What is the primary purpose of a barium swallow study?
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When should water-soluble contrast agents be preferred over barium sulfate?
When should water-soluble contrast agents be preferred over barium sulfate?
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On which view are the valleculae and pyriform fossae outlined during a barium swallow?
On which view are the valleculae and pyriform fossae outlined during a barium swallow?
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What does the posterior tracheal stripe indicate?
What does the posterior tracheal stripe indicate?
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What indicates the beginning of the esophagus during a barium swallow?
What indicates the beginning of the esophagus during a barium swallow?
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Which condition may be diagnosed using a barium swallow?
Which condition may be diagnosed using a barium swallow?
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What structure lies between the posterior margin of the Eustachian tube and the posterior wall of the nasopharynx?
What structure lies between the posterior margin of the Eustachian tube and the posterior wall of the nasopharynx?
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At what anatomical landmark does the oropharynx transition into the hypopharynx?
At what anatomical landmark does the oropharynx transition into the hypopharynx?
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Which of the following is NOT a component of the oropharyngeal tissues?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the oropharyngeal tissues?
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What is the approximate length of the esophagus?
What is the approximate length of the esophagus?
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Where does the esophagus originate?
Where does the esophagus originate?
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Which subsite of the hypopharynx is located posterolaterally to the laryngeal opening?
Which subsite of the hypopharynx is located posterolaterally to the laryngeal opening?
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What anatomical structures does the esophagus pass behind in the chest cavity?
What anatomical structures does the esophagus pass behind in the chest cavity?
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The space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis is known as what?
The space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis is known as what?
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Study Notes
Applied Anatomy Series: Gastrointestinal Tract Part 1
- Learning Objectives:
- Recognize pharynx boundaries and parts
- Differentiate pharynx parts
- Know different subsites of each pharynx part
- Identify upper GIT series on x-ray
- Know esophagus parts
- Identify normal esophageal constrictors
The Digestive System
- Includes:
- Gastrointestinal tract (GIT): a hollow muscular tube from oral cavity to anus
- Accessory organs: salivary glands, liver, pancreas, and gall bladder
Pharynx & Esophagus
- Gross Anatomy
The Pharynx
- Funnel-shaped, widening superiorly and narrowing inferiorly at the cricoid cartilage (C6)
- Divides into three parts:
- Nasopharynx: behind posterior nasal apertures (choanae)
- Oropharynx: behind oral cavity opening
- Laryngopharynx: behind larynx opening
- Subdivisions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx
The Nasopharynx
- Extends from skull base to soft palate (C1/2)
- Communicates with nasal cavity and oropharynx
- Includes Eustachian tube opening and pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)
The Oropharynx
- Extends from soft palate to epiglottis
- Continuous with oral cavity and laryngopharynx
- Includes:
- Base of tongue, including lingual tonsils
- Palatine tonsils, tonsillar fossae, and pillars
- Soft palate, inferior surface, and uvula
- Pharyngeal wall (lateral and posterior)
- Glossotonsillar sulci, valleculae, and oropharyngeal isthmus
The Laryngopharynx
- Continuation of oropharynx
- Superior edge: pharyngoepiglottic fold
- Inferiorly to cricoid cartilage (C6), continuing as the cervical esophagus
- Subsites:
- Pyriform sinuses (pear-shaped)
The Esophagus
- Fibro-muscular tube (approximately 25cm) transporting food from pharynx to stomach
- Starts at inferior border of cricoid cartilage (C6), continues to cardiac orifice of stomach (T11)
- Neck: behind trachea and thyroid, front of lower cervical vertebrae
- Chest: passes behind trachea, left main bronchus, aortic arch, left atrium
- Diaphragm: posterior, sloping part; enters esophageal hiatus at T10
- Enters stomach at esophageal-gastric junction
Esophageal Parts
- Cervical: continuous with hypopharynx
- Thoracic: from suprasternal notch to esophageal hiatus in diaphragm (T10)
- Abdominal: from diaphragmatic esophageal hiatus to the cardia of the stomach at gastroesophageal junction
Esophageal Sphincters
- Upper esophageal sphincter (UES): cricopharyngeus muscle, preventing air entry
- Lower esophageal sphincter (LES): gastroesophageal junction (between stomach and esophagus), marked by change from esophageal to gastric mucosa
Esophageal Constrictions
- Four physiological constrictions in lumen:
- Pharyngoesophageal
- Aortobronchial
- Diaphragmatic
Radiological Anatomy
Plain Film
- Lateral views of skull and neck: limited role, locating foreign bodies. Posterior pharynx wall is a soft tissue shadow, curving inferiorly behind the sphenoid bone. Thins as it passes down to C4. Below C4, the wall thickens.
- Base of tongue, epiglottis, and anterior oropharynx are visible
- Posterior and lateral nasopharynx may be identified on basal skull projection
- Pyriform fossae in laryngopharynx seen on AP neck views
Plain Chest Radiograph
- Difficult to see unless dilated or fluid-filled
- Air-filled esophagus may show as posterior tracheal stripe, outlining its posterior wall, behind trachea
Barium Swallow
-
Contrast-enhanced radiographic study of pharynx, esophagus, and proximal stomach; evaluates structural characteristics
-
Useful for evaluating esophageal motility disorders, strictures, perforations, hiatal hernias, and gastric volvulus
-
Water-soluble contrast agents preferred for suspected perforation, postoperative assessment, and tracheoesophageal fistula
-
Frontal view: oropharynx and hypopharynx are viewed
-
Valleculae and pyriform fossae outlined by barium, epiglottis, and base of tongue
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Lateral view: tongue base, epiglottis, seen with valleculae between
-
Contraindications: water-soluble contrast preferred in perforation, postoperative assessment, and tracheoesophageal fistula
Barium Swallow - Specific Observations
- Posterior indentation from cricopharyngeus muscle contraction, indicating beginning of esophagus.
- Cervical esophagus lies on ventral surface of cervical spine, thoracic esophagus best demonstrated in right anterior oblique position, shows impressions from aorta, left main bronchus, and left atrium.
- Mild fusiform dilatation of distal esophagus is a normal physiological sphincter.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the applied anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the pharynx and esophagus. Participants will identify the anatomical boundaries and parts of the pharynx, as well as recognize normal esophageal structures and their relations on imaging. Ideal for students of medicine or health sciences looking to deepen their understanding of digestive anatomy.
