Esophageal hiatus

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Esophageal hiatus

The esophageal hiatus is an opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus and the vagus nerve pass. It is located in the right crus of the diaphragm and is situated at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra (T10).

Anatomy

The esophageal hiatus is one of the three major openings in the diaphragm, the other two being the aortic hiatus and the caval opening. The esophageal hiatus is oval-shaped and is formed by the right crus of the diaphragm. It allows the esophagus to connect with the stomach and permits the passage of the vagus nerve, which is crucial for parasympathetic innervation of the digestive tract.

Function

The primary function of the esophageal hiatus is to provide a passageway for the esophagus and vagus nerve from the thoracic cavity to the abdominal cavity. It also plays a role in maintaining the pressure difference between the thoracic and abdominal cavities, which is essential for the proper functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This helps prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition where stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.

Clinical Significance

The esophageal hiatus is clinically significant because it can be the site of a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach pushes up through the esophageal hiatus into the thoracic cavity. This can lead to symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing. Hiatal hernias are often associated with GERD.

Related Structures

• Diaphragm (anatomy)
• Esophagus
• Vagus nerve
• Lower esophageal sphincter
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Hiatal hernia

See Also

• Aortic hiatus
• Caval opening
• Thoracic diaphragm
• Abdominal cavity
• Thoracic cavity