NERVOUS CONTROL OF THE CERVICAL PORTION OF THE ESOPHAGUS

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Abstract
The innervation of the esophagus was studied in the dog, cat, rabbit, monkey, guinea pig and rat. The cervical portion of the esophagus invariably receives double innervation from widely separate vagal branches. Species differences regarding the anatomical course and the extent of distribution are described and discrepancies of opinions among different authors are discussed. The main motor innervation of the cervical portion of the esophagus in the dog and cat is the pharyngo-esophageal nerve, which arises from the vagus above the ganglion nodosum. Stimulation of this nerve in these animals causes strong tetanic contraction of the cervical portion of the esophagus. In chronic expts. in the dog and cat, bilateral section of the vagus trunk alone resulted in paralysis of the whole esophagus except the cervical portion. After bilateral section of the pharyngo-esophageal nerve alone there was temporary paralysis of the entire cervical esophagus accompanied by symptoms of dysphagia. Apparent functional recovery was complete in 3-5 weeks. That the pharyngo-esophageal nerve is the main efferent nerve to the cervical portion of the esophagus is further evidenced, in acute expts. in the dog, by the abolition of all of its activities[long dash]peristaltic movements, reflex tetanic contraction on stimulation of the central end of the vagus nerve, and periodic spasm during gasping[long dash]after section of the nerve.

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