THE OESOPHAGUS

 25cm long, continuous with the laryngeal part of the pharynx opposite C6

Relations in the neck

 Posterior: vertebral column

 Anterior: trachea and recurrent laryngeal nerves
 Lateral: lobes of thyroid gland

Relations in the thorax

 Anterior: trachea, left recurrent laryngeal nerve, left main bronchus, left atrium separated by pericardium
 Posterior: thoracic vertebral bodies, thoracic duct, azygos vein, descending thoracic aorta
 Right side: terminal part of azygos vein and mediastinal pleura
 Left side: left subclavian artery, aortic arch, thoracic duct and mediastinal pleura

Blood supply

 Upper third: inferior thyroid artery / vein

 Middle third: descending thoracic aorta / azygos vein
 Lower third: left gastric artery / vein (portal vein)

Lymphatic drainage

 Upper third: deep cervical nodes

 Middle third: posterior mediastinal node
 Lower third: celiac nodes

Oesophageal opening of the diaphragm

 Level T10
 Left vagus (anterior), right vagus (posterior)
 Transmits left gastric vessels and lymphatics