A 35-year-old female who was brought into the emergency department for a drug overdose requires insertion of a nasogastric tube and administration of activated charcoal. What are the three sites in the esophagus where one should anticipate resistance due to compression on the organ?
High-Yield Explanation
The esophagus typically has four constrictions. In the thorax the esophagus is compressed by (1) the arch of the aorta, (2) the left principal bronchus, and (3) the diaphragm. The cricopharyngeal constriction is in the neck.