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The esophagus connects the pharynx to the forestomach. The mouse esophagus is characterized by a thick keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and a muscularis interna and externa consisting of skeletal muscle. In the mouse, the transition between skeletal and smooth muscle occurs in the cardiac region of the stomach. The components of the mouse esophagus are, from inside to outside, a folded mucosa (comprising the stratified squamous epithelium and the lamina propria, a discontinuous muscularis mucosae, and the muscularis interna and externa, which are layers of longitudinal and circular skeletal muscle.
The 4X micrograph presents cross sections of the esophagus and trachea (depicted in detail in Chapter 4. Respiratory System, Trachea) and shows the folded mucosa of the esophagus and the brown fat present around the trachea and esophagus (brown fat is presented in more detail in Chapter 4. Respiratory System, Trachea 20X). The 10X and 20X micrographs show, in increasing detail, the layers of the esophagus wall, including the muscularis and interna externa consisting of skeletal muscle. The 40X micrograph displays the layers of the stratified squamous epithelium.
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