Esophageal branches of aorta

The esophageal branches of the thoracic aorta are small, variable, unpaired arteries that arise from the anterior surface of the descending thoracic aorta. They course medially to supply the thoracic portion of the esophagus, forming an extensive longitudinal anastomotic network with branches of the inferior thyroid artery superiorly and the left gastric and inferior phrenic arteries inferiorly. Through these anastomoses, they play an important role in maintaining a continuous arterial supply to the esophagus along its entire length.