% CHAPTER 14 - GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT Histology Guide & ' ( ) * Share

MH 109 Esophagus
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Esophagus

The esophagus is a muscular tube through which food passes

from the pharynx to the stomach.
The wall of the esophagus is composed of the four layers
characteristic of the gastrointestinal tract:
Mucosa (or mucous membrane)
Stratified Squamous Non-Keratinized Epithelium
Lamina Propria - dense irregular connective tissue.
Muscularis Mucosae - smooth muscle.
Submucosa - dense irregular connective tissue.
Mucus Glands - only the esophagus and the duodenum
have glands in the submucosa.
Ducts - usually have cuboidal or
stratified cuboidal epithelium.
Muscularis Externa - contains both smooth and skeletal
muscle because this specimen is from the middle third of
the esophagus.
Inner Layer - circular layer of muscle cells
Outer Layer - longitudinal layer of muscle cells
Auerbach's (or myenteric) plexus is found between the
inner and outer layers of the muscularis externa. Ganglia
with prominent capsule cells can be seen.
Adventitia - absent in this specimen.

2000 µm

6.4 x 15.5 mm + © 2005-2021. T. Clark Brelje and Robert L. Sorenson