Esophagus of man: Scheme, structure

The human esophagus is a narrow muscular tube. It is the channel through which food is promoted. The length of the human esophagus is about 25 centimeters. Next, consider this department in more detail. We will find out where the esophagus is located in man, what tasks he implements. The article will describe the components of this department, as well as some of the most common pathologies of the body.

general information

The esophagus and the stomach of a person are two consecutive sections of the digestive tract. The second one is below. The first is located in the zone from the 6th cervical to 11 thoracic vertebrae. What is the structure of the human esophagus? It consists of three parts. The department includes the abdominal, thoracic and cervical zones. For clarity, a diagram of the human esophagus will be presented below. In the department there are also sphincters - upper and lower. They play the role of valves, providing unidirectional passage of food through the digestive tract. Sphincters prevent the penetration of aggressive contents from the stomach into the esophagus, and then the pharynx and oral cavity. There are also constrictions in the department. There are five in total. Two narrowing - pharyngeal and diaphragmatic - are considered anatomical. Three of them - bronchial, cardiac and aortic - are physiological. This, in general, is the structure of the human esophagus. Next, we will consider in more detail what the shells of an organ are.

Anatomy of the human esophagus

The department has a wall built from the mucosa, the submucosa base, and the adventitial and muscular layers. The latter in the upper part of the department is formed by striated fibers. Approximately in the area of 2/3 (counting from above), structures are replaced by smooth muscle tissues. In the muscle shell there are two layers: internal circular and longitudinal outer. The mucous membrane covers a flat multilayered epithelium. In the thickness of this shell there are glands that open into the lumen of the organ. Mucous is skin type. The flat multilayered epithelium lies on the fine-fiber connective fibers. This own layer of the shell consists of collagen structures. The epithelium also contains connective tissue cells and reticulin fibers. Own layer of the shell enters into it in the form of papillae. In general, the anatomy of the human esophagus is quite simple. However, it is not so much it important as the tasks that are being implemented in this department of the digestive tract.

Functions of the human esophagus

This department performs several tasks. In the function of the human esophagus is to ensure the progress of food. This task is realized due to peristalsis, muscle contraction, changes in pressure and gravity. Slime is also secreted in the walls of the department. It is saturated with a food lump, which facilitates its penetration into the cavity of the stomach. Also in the task of the channel is to ensure protection against the return of the content to the upper GI tract. This function is realized thanks to sphincters.

Violation of activity

Comparing the prevalence of abnormalities of the esophagus and stomach, one can note the following: the former are being detected much more rarely now. Normally, the food that is taken passes without stopping. It is believed that the human esophagus is less prone to various irritations. In general, this department is quite simple in its structure. However, there are some nuances in its structure. Today, most of the existing congenital and acquired malformations of the department have been studied by specialists. More often than others, doctors diagnose an abnormal anatomy of the sphincter connecting the stomach to the esophagus. Another common enough blemish is the difficulty of swallowing. In this pathological condition, the diameter of the human esophagus is reduced (in the norm it is 2-3 cm).

Symptomatology of diseases

Often pathologies of the esophagus are not accompanied by any manifestations. Nevertheless, violations in his work can lead to quite serious consequences. In this connection, attention should be paid even to minor, seemingly symptoms. If any prerequisites are found, you should immediately visit a doctor. Among the most common symptoms of esophagus pathologies, it should be noted:

• Heartburn.
• Belching.
• Pain in epigastrium.
• Difficulties in the passage of food.
• Sensation of a lump in the throat.
• Soreness in the region of the esophagus during food intake.
• Hiccough.
• Vomiting.

Spasm

In some cases, the difficulty of the passage of food is associated with spasmodic contractions of the muscles of the esophagus. Usually this condition is observed in young people. More susceptible to the development of spasm of the face, susceptible to excitability and characterized by the instability of the central nervous system. Often the condition occurs in conditions of stress, rapid absorption of food, a common nerve. At a high rate of consumption of food, the human esophagus is mechanically irritated. As a result, spasm develops at the reflex level. Often, muscle contraction is noted at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. In this case, there is cardiopathism. Let us consider this state in more detail.

Cardiospasm

This condition accompanies the esophagus. This anomaly is characterized by a giant increase in its cavity with morphological changes in the walls against the background of a sharp narrowing of its cardial part - cardiospasm. Expansion of the esophagus can develop due to a variety of external and internal pathogenic factors, embryogenesis disorders, neurogenic dysfunctions leading to atony.

Causes of cardiospasm

The pathological condition is supported by traumatic damage, ulcers, swelling. The provoking factor for further development is the effect of toxic compounds. To them, in the first place, is to include couples in harmful industries, alcohol, tobacco. Increases the likelihood of the development of cardiopathy of esophageal stenosis due to lesions against typhus, scarlet fever, syphilis and tuberculosis. Among the provoking factors a special place is occupied by various pathologies of the diaphragm. To them, in particular, should be attributed sclerosis holes. Subdiaphragmatic phenomena in the organs of the abdominal cavity also have a negative influence. In this case, we are talking about aerophagia, gastritis, gastroptosis, peritonitis, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly. To provoking factors carry super-diaphragmal processes. Among them, in particular, aneurysm of the aorta, aortitis, pleurisy, mediastinitis is distinguished. Neurogenic factors include damage to the nerve peripheral apparatus of the esophagus. They can be caused by some infectious pathologies. For example, the cause may be measles, typhus, diphtheria, scarlet fever, meningoencephalitis, influenza, poliomyelitis. Also, provoking factors include poisoning with toxic compounds at work and at home (lead, alcohol, arsenic, nicotine). Conducting to gigantic changes in the esophagus of the congenital type, probably, develop at the stage of embryonic bookmarking. Subsequently, this is manifested by sclerosis, thinning of the walls.

Akhalasia

This disorder has a neurogenic nature. With achalasia, there is a violation of the functions of the esophagus. At a pathology disturbances in peristalsis are observed. Lower sphincter, acting as a locking mechanism between the esophagus and stomach, loses its ability to relax. Currently, the etiology of the disease is unknown, but experts say about the psychogenic, infectious and genetic predisposition. Usually pathology is detected at the age of 20 to 40 years.

Burns

They arise in the case when certain chemical compounds enter the human esophagus. According to statistics, of the total number of people who received burns of this department of the gastrointestinal tract, about 70% are children under the age of ten. Such a high percentage is due to the negligence of adults and the curiosity of the kids, provoking them to taste many things. Often, the esophagus burns adults when they get into sodium hydroxide, concentrated acid solutions. Less frequent cases of exposure to lysol, phenol. The degree of damage is determined in accordance with the volume and concentration of the compound trapped inside. At 1 tbsp. There is damage to the surface layer of the mucosa. The second degree is characterized by lesions in the muscles. Burn of the esophagus 3 tbsp. Accompanied by damage to all layers of the department. In this case, not only local symptoms appear, but also general signs: intoxication and shock. After a burn 2-3 tbsp. Scar changes in tissues are formed. The main symptom is a feeling of severe burning in the mouth, throat and behind the breastbone. Often, a person who has taken a caustic solution, immediately vomiting, may appear swelling of the lips.

Foreign body

Sometimes, objects not intended for digestion enter the human esophagus. Uninfected chunks of food can act as foreign bodies. As practice shows, the presence of alien elements is diagnosed quite often. A foreign body can appear in the esophagus due to too rapid consumption of foods, with laughter or talking while eating. Often in this department, bones of fish or chicken are found. The appearance of a foreign object is peculiar to people who have a habit of keeping something inedible in their mouth constantly (clips, carnations, matches, etc.). As a rule, objects with a pointed end are inserted into the organ wall. This can provoke an inflammatory process.

Ulcer

Such a pathology can be caused by insufficient cardia, which provokes penetration into the esophagus of gastric juice. It, in turn, has a proteolytic effect. Often an ulcer is accompanied by a lesion of the stomach and 12 duodenal ulcer or hernia in the esophageal aperture of the diaphragm. Usually, single lesions are found on the walls, but in several cases, multiple manifestations are also diagnosed. Several factors contribute to the development of ulcers of the esophagus. Pathology can be a consequence of surgical intervention, hernia or peristalsis disorder. The main symptoms are constant heartburn, tenderness behind the sternum, eructation. When eating and after it, these manifestations become more intense. As a characteristic feature is also periodically arising regurgitation of acidic contents from the stomach.

Atresia

This vice is considered quite severe. For pathology, the blind end of the upper part of the esophagus is characteristic. The lower part of it is connected with the trachea. Often against the background of atresia of the esophagus , other defects in the development of certain systems of the body are revealed. The causes of pathology are the anomalies in the intrauterine formation of the fetus. In the event that at the 4th or 5th week of development the embryo will be affected by harmful factors, then later the wrong formation of the esophagus may begin.