The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from the pharynx to the stomach, passing through the posterior mediastinum behind the heart. In sonography, the esophagus is most commonly relevant as the pathway through which a transesophageal echocardiography probe is passed to obtain detailed images of the heart from behind. Because the esophagus lies directly behind the left atrium, it provides an excellent acoustic window for visualizing cardiac structures that are difficult to see with the standard transthoracic approach. The esophagus itself can also be evaluated with endoscopic ultrasound for conditions like esophageal carcinoma and submucosal lesions.
Sonography Term