Arterial patterns in the thoracic and abdominal segments of the esophagus: anatomy and clinical significance

Cadaver studies were made to obtain more details about the arterial patterns in the thoracic and abdominal segments of the esophagus, with emphasis on the arterial supply to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The results showed that the inferior thoracic segment of the esophagus usually received blood supply from a single artery, with an average diameter of 1.42 ± 0.49 mm (X ± s), whereas the abdominal segment was commonly supplied by two arteries. The abdominal esophageal arteries coming from the left gastric artery were semi-circular in shape with an average diameter of 2.06 ± 0.70 mm. From these semi-circular esophageal arteries, 3 to 8 smaller arteries branched off and penetrated into the muscle of the abdominal segment of the esophagus or anastomosed with arterial branches from the inferior thoracic segment. Thus, the blood supply of the abdominal segment was richer than that of the inferior thoracic segment. This richness of blood supply, characterized by semicircular esophageal arteries in the abdominal segment, may be important for the function of the LES.