Esophageal hiatus
Hiatus oesophageus
- Related terms: Oesophageal hiatus
Definition
Description:
The esophageal hiatus is situated in the muscular part of the diaphragm at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra, and is elliptical in shape. It is placed above, in front, and a little to the left of the aortic hiatus, and transmits the esophagus, the vagus nerves, and some small esophageal arteries.