Size of the Esophagus
Copyright 2008
Introduction
The esophagus varies in size from person to person. There is a fluctuation in size within one person as the muscular forces with swallowing alter the overall length by upto 2cm. On average, the esophagus ranges between 20-30cms.
The overall width is approximately 2cm but it too varies with the width of a swallowed bolus. Various conditions can cause significant changes in the size of the lumen. Achalasia, for example, can result in a diffusely dilated esophagus, whereas benign and malignant stricture usually cause focal narrowing.
The overall length of the esophagus varies to some extent, generally, in accordance with the length of the trunk of the individual. The average length of the esophagus itself is 24 cm, which is approximately 10 inches. The width or diameter of the esophagus varies considerably with its state of tonus, but the average resting width is given as approximately 2 cm.
13 mm stricture in Esophagus |
| 49430c01 esopagus GE junction stricture hiatis hernia barium swsllow upper GI size Davidoff MD |
Esophageal Stricture – Schatzki’s Ring – Hiatus Hernia |
| 72343c01 esophagus fx stricture Schatzki’s ring barium pill tube size inflammation 13mm focal stricture stenosis hiatus hernia barium swallow upper GI Davidoff MD |
| Esophagus Size – Achalasia |
| 46561c02.800 esophagus size normal dilated enlarged dx achalasia obstruction proximal dilation CTscan Davidoff MD |
| Esophagus Size – Achalasia |
| Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD 01245c code esophagus + fx dilated + fx air fluid level + CXR chest X-ray plain film + fx beak sign dx achalasia of the esophagus barium swallow upper GI UGI imaging radiology contrast X-Ray |
Size and Shape Abnormality |
| 76166c esophagus dysphagia retained food bezoar stricture pulsion diverticuli barium pill did not pass peptic stricture obstruction mechanical shape single contrast barium swallow Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD |