Oesophagus showing atresia
GC.9701
The tongue, larynx, trachea and bronchi, with the thyreoid gland, the heart and thoracic aorta, a portion of the diaphragm and the stomach, showing developmental atresia (abnormal narrowing) of the oesophagus.
From a well formed female born at term, and who survived for four days. She swallowed eagerly but regurgitated milk “in a few minutes.” Post mortem examination showed bilateral bronchopneumonia with the lumen of each bronchus and the pulmonary alveoli filled with polymorphs, some flaking skin and inflammatory exudate.
The laryngeal part of the pharynx and cephalad 3 cm of the oesophagus form an elongated sac some 1.3 cm in diameter terminating distally in a smooth, rounded extremity. The caudad portion of the oesophagus some 4.5 cm in length is of normal calibre and communicates superiorly with the right bronchus. The oesophageal defect is at the bifurcation of the trachea and is crossed posteriorly by an oblique band of tissue some 0.7 cm in vertical diameter. The stomach is somewhat dilated.
