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Esophageal hiatus
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The esophageal hiatus is an oval shaped aperture located in the right crus of the diaphragm, at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra. It transmits the esophagus, as well as the anterior and posterior vagal trunks, esophageal branches of the left gastric vessels and some lymphatic vessels.
The phrenico-esophageal ligament attaches the esophagus flexibly to the margins of the esophageal hiatus. The muscle fibers of the right crus of the diaphragm cross over inferior to the hiatus, forming a sphincter around the esophagus which constricts during diaphragmatic contractions.
| Terminology |
English: Esophageal hiatus Latin: Hiatus oesophageus |
| Definition | Opening in the right crus of the diaphragm at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra |
| Structures transmitted | Esophagus, anterior and posterior vagal trunks, esophageal branches of the left gastric vessels, lymphatic vessels |
Learn more about the diaphragm with this study unit (and article):
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