oesophageal constrictions definition

<gastroenterology> Three narrowings of the oesophagus normally demonstrated radiographically following a barium swallow: the upper or pharyngeal oesophageal constriction, at the beginning of the oesophagus, is caused by the cricopharyngeus muscle, often referred to as the superior oesophageal sphincter; the middle or aortic constriction is a left-sided narrowing due to the oesophagus passing the aortic arch; the inferior or diaphragmatic oesophageal constriction corresponds to the passage of the oesophagus through the oesophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.

Synonyms: impressions of oesophagus.

American spelling: esophageal constrictions

(05 Mar 2000)