At which vertebral level does the esophagus traverse the diaphragm?

At which vertebral level does the esophagus traverse the diaphragm?

• A. T8
• B. T12
• C. T10
• D. T6

Answer: (C)

The esophagus passes through the diaphragm via the esophageal hiatus, which is located around the T10 vertebral level. This opening is formed by the diaphragmatic crura and is the space the esophagus and vagal trunks use to go from the thorax into the abdomen. In the classic arrangement of diaphragmatic openings, the caval opening sits at T8 for the IVC, the esophageal hiatus is at T10, and the aortic hiatus is at T12. So T10 is the level where the esophagus traverses the diaphragm.

The esophagus passes through the diaphragm via the esophageal hiatus, which is located around the T10 vertebral level. This opening is formed by the diaphragmatic crura and is the space the esophagus and vagal trunks use to go from the thorax into the abdomen. In the classic arrangement of diaphragmatic openings, the caval opening sits at T8 for the IVC, the esophageal hiatus is at T10, and the aortic hiatus is at T12. So T10 is the level where the esophagus traverses the diaphragm.