Anatomical Study Of The Architecture Of The Pharyngoeosphageal Junction

Objective: To investigate the architecture of cricopharynx, using gross anatomical, sectional anatomical, microanatomical, and, immunohistochemical techniques, to evaluate the clinical appearance of the cricopharynx in order to better understand the mechanism underlying dysphagia.Methods: ①A total of 64 adult cadavers and 10 fetuses were assigned for this project.The age of the adult cadavers was estimated by forensic medicine technique, and the adult cadavers were divided into three age groups, young adult (<25 years old), adult (25 ～ 59 years old) and elderly (> 59 years old).② 48 adult cadavers were used for gross anatomical examination of the pharyngoesophageal region.③3 pharyngoesopha-gus regions were prepared as sets of serial sections and examined under a micro-scope.④7 specimens with thickened posterior pharyngeal wall and 6 specimens with a normal posterior pharyngeal wall were sectioned and stained with H.E, Weigert and Gordon&Sweet stainings for histology examination.⑤The pharyngeoesophageal junctions from 7 out of 10 fetuses were sectioned and stained with H.E staining for histology examination.⑥The specimens from the remaining 3 fetuses were used for immunohistochemical staining with anti-slow myosin heavy chain and anti-fast myosin heavy chain antibodies.Results: ①At gross anatomical level, we found that longitudinal esophageal fibers had multiple attachments.While the majority of the longitudinal esophageal fibers were attached to the posterior median ridge of cricoid cartilage, some longitudinal fibers from the lateral esophageal wall were superiorly continuous with the palatopharyngeal muscle fibers via the lateral cricopharyngeal triangle, whereas the others were directly...