Mediastinal impressions on the dilated esophagus.
This article explores how the mediastinum accommodates a significantly dilated esophagus, using achalasia as an anatomic model. This accommodation introduces the concepts of vascular tethering and the paratracheal esophagus as part of a unifying theory of "the path of least resistance." Practical examples demonstrate the importance of understanding these concepts in any disease involving esophageal dilatation.
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001401:Azygos Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed