Esophagus, Trachea and Great Vessels – Gross Anatomy Review

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering key anatomical facts and clinical correlations of the esophagus, trachea, and great vessels for exam preparation.

What is the average length of the adult esophagus?

Approximately 25 cm

Between which vertebral levels does the esophagus extend?

C6 to T11

Where does the esophagus begin?

At the lower border of the cricoid cartilage (C6)

At which vertebral level does the esophagus end?

T11, at the cardiac orifice of the stomach

Name the three anatomical parts of the esophagus.

Cervical part, thoracic part, abdominal part

What vertebral range defines the cervical esophagus?

C6 to T1

Which structure lies anterior to the cervical esophagus?

The trachea

Through which mediastinum does the thoracic esophagus pass?

Posterior mediastinum

How long is the abdominal portion of the esophagus?

About 1.25 cm

At which diaphragm opening does the esophagus pass into the abdomen?

Esophageal hiatus at T10

List the three physiological constrictions of the esophagus.

1) Cervical (upper esophageal sphincter, C6) 2) Thoracic (crossed by aortic arch and left bronchus, T4) 3) Diaphragmatic (esophageal hiatus, T10)

What type of epithelium lines the esophageal mucosa?

Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Which muscle type forms the upper third of the esophageal muscularis externa?

Skeletal muscle

Which arteries supply the cervical esophagus?

Branches of the inferior thyroid artery

Venous drainage of the thoracic esophagus primarily enters which system?

Azygos, hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins

Into which vein does the left gastric vein drain, forming a portosystemic anastomosis at the lower esophagus?

The portal vein

Where do lymphatics from the abdominal esophagus first drain?

Left gastric and celiac lymph nodes

Which nerve provides parasympathetic innervation to the esophagus?

Vagus nerve (CN X)

What is the effect of sympathetic input on the esophagus?

Vasoconstriction

Name the two intrinsic enteric plexuses within the esophageal wall.

Myenteric (Auerbach’s) and submucosal (Meissner’s) plexuses

What condition is caused by incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter allowing gastric reflux?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, leading to food retention, is called .

Achalasia

Dilated submucosal veins in the lower esophagus due to portal hypertension are termed .

Esophageal varices

Which muscle forms the upper esophageal sphincter?

Cricopharyngeus muscle

What is the common name for the trachea?

Windpipe

State the average adult length of the trachea.

10–12 cm

Between which vertebral levels does the trachea run?

C6 to T4/T5 (sternal angle)

Into what does the trachea bifurcate at T4/T5?

Right and left main bronchi

Which part of the trachea lies anterior to the esophagus?

The entire trachea (both cervical and thoracic parts)

How many C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings support the trachea?

16–20

The open ends of the tracheal cartilage face which direction?

Posteriorly toward the esophagus

What type of epithelium lines the tracheal mucosa?

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

Which arteries supply the cervical trachea?

Inferior thyroid arteries

Where do lymphatics at the tracheal bifurcation drain?

Tracheobronchial lymph nodes

Parasympathetic stimulation of the trachea produces what effects?

Increased glandular secretion and bronchoconstriction

What is the highly sensitive internal ridge at the tracheal bifurcation called?

The carina

Why are inhaled foreign bodies more likely to enter the right main bronchus?

Because it is wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left

At which tracheal rings is a tracheostomy commonly performed?

Below the 2nd or 3rd tracheal rings

List the five great vessels associated with the heart.

Aorta, pulmonary trunk, pulmonary veins, superior vena cava (SVC), inferior vena cava (IVC)

Which arteries branch from the ascending aorta?

Right and left coronary arteries

From right to left, name the three branches of the aortic arch.

Brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery

Which vertebral levels define the thoracic aorta?

T4 to T12

Name two paired visceral branches of the abdominal aorta.

Renal arteries and gonadal (testicular/ovarian) arteries

What are the terminal branches of the abdominal aorta?

Right and left common iliac arteries

From which heart chamber does the pulmonary trunk arise?

Right ventricle

How many pulmonary veins empty into the left atrium?

Four (two from each lung)

The superior vena cava is formed by the union of which two veins?

Right and left brachiocephalic veins

At what vertebral level is the inferior vena cava formed?

L5 (by the union of the common iliac veins)

Which large tributary drains into the SVC from the posterior thoracic wall?

Azygos vein

Give one major clinical consequence of a thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Possible compression of adjacent structures such as the trachea or esophagus, causing dyspnea or dysphagia

What congenital narrowing of the aorta typically occurs near the ligamentum arteriosum?

Coarctation of the aorta

Compression of the SVC leading to venous congestion of the head, neck, and upper limbs is termed .

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome