THE (ESOPHAGUS. 



213 



The second constriction is opposite the middle of the first piece of the sternum. 

 This is 7 cm. (2-^ in. ) below the cricoid cartilage. Therefore a foreign body lodged 

 just above it would be just below the top of the sternum. 



It would be felt by the probe 22 cm. (8i in. ) from the upper teeth and if cesopha- 

 gotomy was performed it could usually be reached from the wound in the neck. 



The third constriction is 15 cm. (6 in.) below the second, or 37 cm. (14^ in.) 

 from the teeth, and is accessible from the stomach. This third constriction is more 



Left common 

 carotid 



Vagus nerve 



Int. jugular vein 



Inf. thyroid artery 



Vertebral artery 

 Thoracic duct 



Phrenic ner 

 Recurrent laryn 



geal ner 1 

 Subclavian arte 



Bronchial arter 



Pulmonary 



artery 



Left vagus nerve 



Left bronchus 



Pulmonary vein 

 Acrta 



Thoracic duct 



Vena azygos 

 major 



Int. jugular vein 



Vagus nerve 



Common carotid artery 



Inf. thyroid artery 



Vertebral artery 



Trachea 



Recurrent laryngeal 



nerve 



(Esophagus 



Right vagus nerve 

 Phrenic nerve 



Vena azygos 



major 



Right bronchus 



Right pulmonary 



artery 



Pulmonary vein. 



FIG. 224. Posterior view of the oesophagus, showing its relation to the surrounding structures. 



distensible than the two above it. Maurice H. Richardson was able, after introducing 

 the hand into the stomach, to put two fingers into the cardiac opening from below, 

 and so dislodge some impacted false teeth. 



Foreign bodies are dangerous on account of the ulceration into the various organs 

 which they cause and also on account of pressure. Pressure on the left bronchus and 

 trachea has caused suffocation. 



