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The microscopic anatomy of the esophagus including the individual layers, specialized tissues, and unique components and their responses to injury
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The microscopic anatomy of the esophagus including the individual layers, specialized tissues, and unique components and their responses to injury

Xuchen Zhang, Deepa Patil, Robert D Odze, Lei Zhao, Mikhail Lisovsky, Maha Guindi, Robert Riddell, Andrew Bellizzi, Rhonda K Yantiss, Ilke Nalbantoglu, …
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol.1434(1), pp.304-318
12/2018
DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13705
PMID: 29761508

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Abstract

The esophagus, a straight tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach, has the complex architecture common to the rest of the gastrointestinal tract with special differences that relate to its function as a conduit of ingested substances. For instance, it has submucosal glands that are unique and have a specific protective function. It has a squamous lining that exists nowhere else in the gut except the anus and it has a different submucosal nerve plexus when compared to the stomach and intestines. All of the layers of the esophageal wall and the specialized structures including blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves have specific responses to injury. The esophagus also has unique features such as patches of gastric mucosa called inlet patches at the very proximal part and it has a special sphincter mechanism at the most distal aspect. This review covers the normal microscopic anatomy of the esophagus and the patterns of reaction to stress and injury of each layer and each special structure.
Esophagogastric Junction - injuries Esophagogastric Junction - blood supply Esophageal Mucosa - injuries Esophageal Mucosa - innervation Esophagogastric Junction - innervation Humans Esophagogastric Junction - pathology Esophageal Mucosa - blood supply Esophageal Mucosa - pathology

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