Biomaterial Database

The upper esophageal sphincter area. 1987

O Ekberg, and C Lindström

The localization of the upper esophageal sphincter is partly controversial. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether or not the sphincter area could be allocated within an area inferior to and separate from the cricopharyngeal muscle. Cineradiography of the pharyngo-esophageal segment in 252 dysphagial patients disclosed a posterior impression in 55 (22%). There were no signs of a circular impression or other indications of a sphincter localized inferior to the circopharyngeus as revealed on these cinefilms. Macro- and microscopic examination of 16 autopsy specimens revealed the level of the upper esophageal sphincter to be localized within the cricopharyngeal muscle. There was no indication of any sphincter inferior to the cricopharyngeus in the cervical esophagus.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010609	Pharyngeal Muscles	The muscles of the PHARYNX are voluntary muscles arranged in two layers. The external circular layer consists of three constrictors (superior, middle, and inferior). The internal longitudinal layer consists of the palatopharyngeus, the salpingopharyngeus, and the stylopharyngeus. During swallowing, the outer layer constricts the pharyngeal wall and the inner layer elevates pharynx and LARYNX.	Palatopharyngeus,Muscles of Pharynx,Palatopharyngeal Muscle,Salpingopharyngeus,Stylopharyngeus,Velopharyngeal Muscle,Muscle, Palatopharyngeal,Muscle, Pharyngeal,Muscle, Velopharyngeal,Muscles, Pharyngeal,Pharyngeal Muscle,Pharynx Muscle,Pharynx Muscles
D010614	Pharynx	A funnel-shaped fibromuscular tube that conducts food to the ESOPHAGUS, and air to the LARYNX and LUNGS. It is located posterior to the NASAL CAVITY; ORAL CAVITY; and LARYNX, and extends from the SKULL BASE to the inferior border of the CRICOID CARTILAGE anteriorly and to the inferior border of the C6 vertebra posteriorly. It is divided into the NASOPHARYNX; OROPHARYNX; and HYPOPHARYNX (laryngopharynx).	Throat,Pharynxs,Throats
D002933	Cineradiography	Motion picture study of successive images appearing on a fluoroscopic screen.	Cinefluorography,Radiocinematography,Cinefluorographies,Cineradiographies,Radiocinematographies
D003413	Cricoid Cartilage	The small thick cartilage that forms the lower and posterior parts of the laryngeal wall.	Cartilage, Cricoid,Cartilages, Cricoid,Cricoid Cartilages
D004943	Esophagogastric Junction	The area covering the terminal portion of ESOPHAGUS and the beginning of STOMACH at the cardiac orifice.	Gastroesophageal Junction,Gastroesophageal Junctions,Junction, Esophagogastric,Junction, Gastroesophageal,Junctions, Gastroesophageal
D004947	Esophagus	The muscular membranous segment between the PHARYNX and the STOMACH in the UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man