Esophageal hiatus

Esophageal hiatus
The diaphragm. Under surface. (Esophageal hiatus labeled at center right.)
Details
Latin	Hiatus oesophageus
Identifiers
Dorlands /Elsevier	h_11/12422045
TA
TH	{{#property:P1694}}
TE	{{#property:P1693}}
FMA	{{#property:P1402}}
Anatomical terminology [[[d:|edit on Wikidata]]]

In human anatomy, the esophageal hiatus is a hole in the diaphragm through which the esophagus and the vagus nerve pass. It is located in the right crus, one of the two tendinous structures that connect the diaphragm to the spine. Fibres of the right crus cross one another below the hiatus.

It is located approximately at level of the tenth thoracic vertebra (T10).

The esophageal hiatus is situated in the muscular part of the diaphragm at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra, and is elliptical in shape. It is placed superior, anterior, and slightly left of the aortic hiatus, and transmits the esophagus, the vagus nerve, the left inferior phrenic vessels, and some small esophageal arteries from left gastric vessels. The right crus of the diaphragm loops around forming a sling around the esophagus. Upon inspiration, this sling would constrict the esophagus, forming an functional(not anatomical) sphincter that prevents stomach contents from refluxing up the esophagus when intra-abdominal pressure rises during inspiration.

See also

• Hiatus hernia

External links

• Anatomy photo:40:08-0102 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Major Openings in the Diaphragm"