644 / 815
Anatomical Definition: Thoracic
Oesophagus
•
Enters the superior mediastinum between the trachea and
vertebral column
•
Lies anterior to T1 to T4 vertebrae
•
Initially it inclines to the left but is moved by the aortic arch to
the median plane, opposite the roots of the lungs
•
Inferior to the aortic arch, it again inclines to the left as it
passes through the diaphragm