Anatomy of the esophagus

• Approximately 45% of the total length of the esophagus is within the neck, with the rest situated within the thorax.
• The esophagus is innervated by the vagus nerve.
• The esophagus has four layers:
  • Tunica adventitia (fibrous outer layer) – replaced by tunica serosa in the mediastinum.
  • Tunica muscularis (striated and smooth muscle).
  • Tela submucosa.
  • Tunica mucosa.

Clinical signs of esophageal disease

Differential diagnoses

Systemic conditions

Diagnostic tests

Specific conditions

Surgery

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Braun U, Schwarzwald C, Ohlerth S, Frei S & Monika Hilbe (2014) Abnormal regurgitation in three cows caused by intrathoracic perioesophageal lesions. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 56, 14.
• Jeckel S, Bidewell C, Everest D, McInnes C et al (2011) Severe oesophagitis in an adult bull caused by bovine papular stomatitis virus. Vet Rec 169, 317.
• Haas J (2010) Esophageal foreign body in a 2-day-old calf. Can Vet J 51, 406-08.
• Ulutas B, Sarierler M, Bayramli G & Ocal K (2006) Macroscopic findings of idiopathic congenital megaoesophagus in a calf. Vet Rec 158, 26.
• Wilmot L, Saint Jean G & Hoffsis G F (1989) Surgical treatment of an esophageal laceration in a calf. Can Vet J 30, 175-77.
• Kasari T R (1984) Dilatation of the lower cervical esophagus in a cow. Can Vet J 25.

Other sources of information

• Parkinson T J, Vermunt J J & Malmo J (2010) Diseases of cattle in Australasia: a comprehensive textbook. VetLearn, NZ.
• Smith B P (2009) Large animal internal medicine. 4th Edn. St. Louis, Mosby.
• Radostits O M, Done S H & Blood D C (2006) Veterinary medicine : a textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and horses. 10th edn. Elsevier Saunders, UK.
• Lawson F S & Ducharme N G (2004) Farm animal surgery.  Saunders, USA.