DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESOPHAGUS

As early as the fourth week in development, the esophagus of the human embryo is merely a sphincter or constricted part of the primitive foregut, between the pharynx and stomach, as observed by Keith (1948) (Fig. 122-1). During the sixth and seventh weeks of gestation, the esophagus undergoes rapid elongation as cephalic development separates the…

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