528 THE INTESTINAL CANAL, BY E. KLEIN AND E. VERSON. 



latter is formed by the Stylo-pharyngeus and Thyreo-pharyngo- 

 palatinus,* from the pharyngo-palatine portion of which a few 

 fasciculi are given off which pursue a horizontal direction, 

 uniting on the posterior wall of the pharynx with those of 

 the opposite side to form a series of arches with their convexity 

 directed downwards. 



A few small fasciculi are also given off from the most internal 

 muscular bundles, especially at the lower part of the pharynx, 

 which, running downwards, penetrate the mucous membrane 

 obliquely, and terminate in it. 



The mucous membrane of the pharynx, which is connected 

 by means of short connective tissue fibres with the posterior 

 surface of the larynx, presents the same structure as that of 

 the lower third of the posterior wall. 



The glands are here also elongated, and form a continuous 

 layer above, whilst they diminish in number below to such an 

 extent that it is rare to meet with one on the anterior wall of 

 the oesophagus. The excretory ducts of these glands are di- 

 rected obliquely downwards, so that on examining transverse 

 sections, numerous ducts may be found without any of the 

 glands being present. They become somewhat wider beneath 

 the epithelium, and here possess, lining their interior, a series 

 of well-marked cylindrical cells, subjacent to which are two or 

 three rows of smaller. spheroidal .cells with comparatively large 

 nuclei. 



Adipose tissue is found in considerable quantity in adults* 

 occupying the interspaces of the muscular fasciculi and of the 

 glands of the mucous membrane situated on the posterior sur- 

 face of the larynx. 



c. (ESOPHAGUS. 



Commencing at the level of the lower border of the cricoid 

 cartilage, the alimentary canal extends, in the form of a com- 

 pletely closed tube, to the foramen oesophageum of the dia- 

 phragm. In the undistended condition the mucous membrane 

 forms parallel longitudinal folds, and is attached to the sub- 

 jacent muscular coat by loose connective tissue. 



* Luschka, Virchow's Archiv, Band xlii., p. 485. 



