Cervical part of esophagus

The cervical part of esophagus is the uppermost portion of the esophagus (approximately 5 cm long) located in the neck. It extends from the lower border of the cricoid cartilage (C6 vertebral level), where it is continuous with the pharynx, to the thoracic inlet (superior thoracic aperture).

Relations

Blood supply

• Branches of the inferior thyroid arteries and veins

Lymphatic Drainage

• Deep cervical lymph nodes

• Paratracheal lymph nodes

Innervation

• Parasympathetic: via the recurrent laryngeal nerves (which are branches of the vagus nerve).

• Sympathetic: Postganglionic fibres arise from the superior cervical ganglion (cervical sympathetic trunk).

Histological Feature

• The esophageal wall contains skeletal (striated) muscle in the upper one-third, reflecting its origin from the pharyngeal musculature.

Constriction

The cervical part of esophagus contains the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) at the pharyngoesophageal junction (C6), formed mainly by the cricopharyngeus muscle.

Clinical correlates

• The pharyngoesophageal junction is the narrowest part of the gastrointestinal tract and a common site for lodged foreign bodies.

• Thyroid surgery or esophageal pathology may damage the recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing hoarseness or vocal cord paralysis.