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Normal Esophagus
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20 weeks a b  
  The fetal esophagus is difficult to visualize, especially before the third trimester. The esophagus is best seen if image acquisition coinsides with fetal swallowing, as in the 20 week fetus above left. The esophagus (blue arrow) is distended by amniotic fluid and can therefore be differentiated from the trachea (red arrow).  
24 weeks a b  
31 weeks a b  
  The esophagus below the carina can be visualized when distended from a swallowed bolus of amniotic fluid or when reflux occurs.  
33 weeks a b