title: [Vascularization of the pharyngo-esophageal transition zone].
abstract: The arterial blood supply and the venous drainage of the area around the pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter are still virtually unknown. We performed vascular injections with a gelatin-india ink solution on autopsy specimens. After fixation the specimens were dissected under a stereomicroscope. From our anatomic studies we conclude that the inferior thyroid artery gives rise to a special branch, the "laryngopharyngeal artery", that supplies the pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter through numerous transversal branches. This density can be explained by the oxidative metabolism of the cricopharyngeal muscle. This structural adaptation is necessary for the maintainance of a continuous tone within the pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter. The pharyngo-oesophageal venous plexus in the laryngopharynx and cervical oesophagus provides rigidity to the surrounding corium and so ensures the integrity of the corium during sphincter relaxation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium voor Histo- en Cytochemie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramaekers
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mebis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Geboes
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Desmet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D004947:Esophagus / Q000098:blood supply*; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D010614:Pharynx / Q000098:blood supply*; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
vernacular_title: De vascularisatie van de faryngo-oesofageale transitiezone.