Page 550 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

SECTION 1 Esophagus

The esophagus is a tube about 10 in long extending from the pharynx to the

stomach. It is located posterior to the trachea in the mediastinum of the thoracic
cavity. After descending the thoracic cavity, the esophagus penetrates the
muscular diaphragm with a short section present in the abdominal cavity before
terminating at the stomach. In the thoracic cavity, the esophagus is surrounded
by the connective tissue adventitia (Fig. 14.1). In the abdominal cavity, a simple

squamous mesothelium covers the outermost wall of the short segment of the
esophagus, forming the serosa.

FIGURE 14.1 ■ Four layers (mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and

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