Character

The Common Vein Copyright 2008

The esophagus is the most muscular part of the alimentary tract.  It is a distensible and collapsible musculomembranous tube. It easily distends to accommodate any food or fluid that passes through the epiglottis. The mucosa of the esophagus is smooth and rather pale in color.  In the contracted state the mucosa has irregular longitudinal folds.  The gastroesophageal junction is characterized by color change and by an irregular dentate or zigzag line, known as the “Z” line or the “ZZ line”.

Esophagus – mucosa

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD 01198 esophagus + vein + venous lake imaging endoscopy

Esophagus – longitudinal folds, hiatus hernia

These two images from a double contrast barium swallow show a hiatus hernia with a focal narrowing at the GE junction and irregularity at the site. What is your diagnosis and differential and what is the next step? Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD 38421c01 code GI esophagus esophagitis stricture HH radiologists and detectives

Esophagus – longitudinal folds

22221 esophagus stomach gastric gastroesophgeal junction GE junction longitudinal mucosal folds normal anatomy applied biology The Common Vein TCV double contrast upper GI barium swallow Davidoff MD

The Normal (left) and Abnormal (right) Red and Swollen GE junction – Reflux Esophagitis

01239b01.800 esophagus stomach GE junction gastroesophageaal junction inflammed inflammation GERD red swollen reflux esophagitis grosspathology Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD