Expansion
Oesophagus, anterior and posterior vagal trunks, and the oesophageal branches of the left gastric vessels
Expansion
At the level of T10, in a sling of the right crus:
- Oesophagus
- Anterior and posterior vagal trunks
- Oesophageal branches of the left gastric artery and vein
- Some lymphatic vessels
The right crus fibres encircling the oesophagus contribute to the lower oesophageal sphincter mechanism. Widening of this hiatus allows a sliding hiatus hernia, and the accompanying left gastric venous tributaries are the route by which portal hypertension produces oesophageal varices.