Thorax: oesophagus constrictions: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Thorax: oesophagus constrictions

Sample item

A child swallows a coin and it lodges in the oesophagus about 25 cm from the incisor teeth. Which adjacent structures cause the constriction at this level?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Arch of the aorta and left main bronchus

The oesophagus has three constrictions. The first is at its beginning (about 15 cm from the incisors) at the cricopharyngeus, the second at about 22 to 25 cm where the aortic arch and left main bronchus cross it, and the third at about 40 cm at the diaphragmatic hiatus. The second also corresponds to the level of T4.

Option by option

  • A. Cricoid cartilage and cricopharyngeus

    The cricopharyngeus produces the first (pharyngo-oesophageal) constriction at about 15 cm.

  • B. Diaphragmatic hiatus

    The diaphragmatic hiatus gives the third constriction at about 40 cm.

  • C. Left atrium and descending aorta

    The left atrium and descending aorta indent lower down but are not the named second constriction.

  • D. Arch of the aorta and left main bronchus (correct)

    Correct. The aortic arch and left main bronchus indent the oesophagus at the second constriction.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, Arch of the aorta and left main bronchus. The oesophagus has three constrictions.

Why is "Cricoid cartilage and cricopharyngeus" not the answer?

The cricopharyngeus produces the first (pharyngo-oesophageal) constriction at about 15 cm.

Why is "Diaphragmatic hiatus" not the answer?

The diaphragmatic hiatus gives the third constriction at about 40 cm.

Why is "Left atrium and descending aorta" not the answer?

The left atrium and descending aorta indent lower down but are not the named second constriction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: oesophagus constrictions in Anatomy. The first is at its beginning (about 15 cm from the incisors) at the cricopharyngeus, the second at about 22 to 25 cm where the aortic arch and left main bronchus cross it, and the third at about 40 cm at the diaphragmatic hiatus. The second also corresponds to the level of T4.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thorax: oesophagus constrictions?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.