The arterial supply of the oesophagus tends to form a plexus which runs longitudinally within its wall. It arises from different sources as the oesophagus descends:
The venous system comprises, roughly:
The venous link of the lower oesophagus to the portal vein and the draining of the superior oesophagus into the superior vena cava means that there exists a portosystemic anastomosis. This occurs above the oesophageal aperture within the submucosa. Consequently, when the portal venous pressure is raised e.g. in cirrhosis, the veins in this region can dilate into varicosities which are prone to catastrophic haemorrhage - oesophageal varices.
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