Q) Length of Esophagus is
A. 20 cm
B. 25 cm
C. 30-35cm
D. 40cm
Length of esophagus is important in various resection surgeries as well as endoscopy
Answer
The length of esophagus is anatomically defined as the distance between the cricoid cartilage and the gastric orifice. It ranges in adults from 22 to 28 cm (24 ± 5 SD), last 3 to 6 cm of which are located in the abdomen.
The shortest distance between the cricoid cartilage and the celiac axis is the orthotopic route in the posterior mediastinum, being 30 cm. The retrosternal (32 cm) and the subcutaneous route (34 cm) proved to be longer
Deviations to the left
Esophagus through out its length deviates to the left in superior mediastinum and lower posterior mediastinum.
Constrictions of esophagus
Cervical narrowest at c5/6
Thoracic T4-5
Abdominal
Ref Shackelford page 10