Premium
Phrenoesophageal ligament re‐visited
Author(s) -
Kwok Henry,
Marriz Yehia,
AlAli Saad,
Windsor John A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2353(1999)12:3<164::aid-ca4>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - medicine , ligament , general surgery , anatomy
The phrenoesophageal ligament, attaching the esophagus to the diaphragm, has been given little emphasis in anatomy teaching. This study was undertaken to examine the macroscopic and microscopic structure of the phrenoesophageal ligament. The results indicate that the ligament is a distinct structure bridging the space between the esophageal wall and the margins of the esophageal hiatus. This ligament appears to arise from both the endothoracic fascia and the transversalis fascia and is composed of abundant collagen and elastic lamellae. Toward the wall of the esophagus, the ligament divides into a prominent upper leaf and an ill‐defined lower leaf before inserting into the wall of the esophagus. Histological study reveals that the ligament has a substantial and deep insertion into the wall of the esophagus. It appears that the ligament plays an important role in anchoring the lower esophagus and maintaining gastroesophageal competence. Clin. Anat. 12:164–170, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.