Surgery of the esophagus. Anatomy and physiology.

The esophagus can be divided into three parts: cervical, thoracic, and abdominal. Its blood supply, lymphatic drainage, innervation, and architecture of the esophageal wall are described. The topographic relationships of the esophagus and the gastroesophageal junction with neighboring structures are illustrated from the right and left thoroscopic and the laparoscopic viewpoints. Functionally, the esophagus consists of the upper esophageal sphincter; the esophageal body; and the lower esophageal sphincter. Their coordinated muscular activity transports the food bolus into the stomach, while maintaining a barrier against reflux of esophageal contents into the pharynx and gastric juice into the esophagus.