Cervical Trachea and Oesophagus

Trachea
- starts from C6 til sternal angle, bifurcate to R and L bronchus at sternal angle, anterior to oesophagus
- 2.5cm in adults, diameter of pencil in child
- fibrocartilaginous tube, supported by incomplete cartilaginous tracheal rings (to keep airway patent and prevent it from collapsing), posterior part of trachea is the trachealis muscle
- important relations:

• common carotid artery, recurrent laryngeal nerves and thyroid lobes laterally
• jugular venous arches and inferior thyroid veins anteriorly (these structures are inferior to isthmus of thyroid gland)
• oesophagus posteriorly

Oesophagus
- starts from C6 til stomach (T11)
- muscular tube (skeletal muscle upper 1/3, smooth muscle lower 1/3, middle 1/3 is a mix of both)
Cervical oesophagus
- start from pharyngoesophageal jxn (lvl of C6) - this is the narrowest part of the oesophagus caused by the cricopharyngeal part of the inferior constrictor muscle = superior esophageal sphincter
- inclines slightly left as it descends
- ends when it enters the superior mediastinum via thoracic inlet (continues as the thoracic oesophagus)
- important relations:

• trachea anteriorly
• cervical vertebrae posteriorly
• thymus glands laterally

- vessels - inferior thyroid arteries and veins
nerves - recurrent laryngeal nerves and cervical sympathetic trunks (from C1-4 anterior rami)
lymphatics - drains into paratracheal lymph nodes and inferior deep cervical lymph nodes

*Please keep in mind this is only the cervical part of the oesophagus..the oesophagus extends til the stomach!!!!

(Posted by: Vivian)