"The esophagus [...] is an organ in vertebrates through which food passes, aided by peristaltic contractions, from the pharynx to the stomach."
An overview of the anatomy and physiology of the esophagus and the process of swallowing, including peristalsis and the role of the upper esophageal sphincter.
Esophageal anatomy: This topic covers the various parts and structures of the esophagus, such as the upper and lower esophageal sphincters, the circular and longitudinal muscle layers, and the mucosa.
Swallowing physiology: This topic involves understanding the various stages of swallowing, such as the oral phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase, and the role of the muscles, nerves, and reflexes involved in each stage.
Esophageal motility disorders: This includes conditions in which the esophageal muscles do not function properly, such as achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Swallowing disorders: This topic involves learning about conditions that affect a person's ability to swallow, such as dysphagia, which can be caused by neurological, muscular, or structural abnormalities.
Esophageal cancer: This involves understanding the various types of esophageal cancer, their causes, symptoms, and treatments, and the role of screening and early detection.
Esophageal surgery: This includes learning about different types of surgical procedures used to treat esophageal conditions, such as fundoplication, dilation, and myotomy.
Esophageal manometry: This is a diagnostic test that measures the pressure and function of the esophageal muscles, and is used to help diagnose esophageal motility disorders and evaluate swallowing function.
Barium swallow: This is a diagnostic test in which a person swallows a liquid containing barium, which helps to visualize the esophagus and detect any structural abnormalities or swallowing difficulties.
Endoscopy: This involves the use of a scope to examine the inside of the esophagus and detect any abnormalities, such as inflammation, ulcers, or tumors.
Nutrition and diet: This topic involves learning about the types of foods that are beneficial for esophageal health, such as those high in fiber and low in acidity, as well as dietary changes that may be necessary to manage certain conditions, such as GERD.
Esophageal cancer: A malignant tumor that develops in the lining of the esophagus.
Achalasia: A condition where the muscles in the lower esophageal sphincter are unable to relax properly, causing difficulty in swallowing.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A condition where stomach acid leaks into the esophagus, causing irritation and discomfort.
Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing, which can be caused by a variety of conditions.
Barrett's esophagus: A condition where the cells in the lining of the esophagus change and become more like those found in the intestine, increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.
Hiatal hernia: A condition where part of the stomach slides up into the chest through the diaphragm.
Esophageal varices: Swollen veins in the lining of the esophagus that can bleed and cause serious complications.
Zenker's diverticulum: A pouch or sac that forms at the junction of the pharynx and esophagus, causing difficulty in swallowing.
Tracheoesophageal fistula: An abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea, which can cause food and liquids to enter the lungs.
Esophageal spasm: A condition where the muscles of the esophagus contract abnormally, causing pain and difficulty in swallowing.
"The esophagus is a fibromuscular tube, about 25 cm (10 in) long in adults."
"During swallowing, the epiglottis tilts backwards to prevent food from going down the larynx and lungs."
"The wall of the esophagus from the lumen outwards consists of mucosa, submucosa (connective tissue), layers of muscle fibers between layers of fibrous tissue, and an outer layer of connective tissue."
"The mucosa is a stratified squamous epithelium of around three layers of squamous cells, which contrasts to the single layer of columnar cells of the stomach."
"Most of the muscle is smooth muscle, although striated muscle predominates in its upper third."
"The lower sphincter helps to prevent reflux of acidic stomach content."
"Its smooth muscle is innervated by involuntary nerves (sympathetic nerves via the sympathetic trunk and parasympathetic nerves via the vagus nerve) and in addition, voluntary nerves (lower motor neurons) which are carried in the vagus nerve to innervate its striated muscle."
"The esophagus passes through the thoracic cavity into the diaphragm into the stomach."
"The esophagus may be affected by gastric reflux, cancer, prominent dilated blood vessels called varices that can bleed heavily, tears, constrictions, and disorders of motility."
"Diseases may cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), painful swallowing (odynophagia), chest pain, or cause no symptoms at all."
"Clinical investigations include X-rays when swallowing barium sulfate, endoscopy, and CT scans."
"The esophagus is difficult to access in part due to its position between critical organs and directly between the sternum and spinal column." Quotes from the paragraph: - "The esophagus (American English) or oesophagus (British English, see spelling differences; both ; PL: (o)esophagi or (o)esophaguses), colloquially known also as the food pipe or gullet, is an organ in vertebrates through which food passes, aided by peristaltic contractions, from the pharynx to the stomach." - "The esophagus is a fibromuscular tube, about 25 cm (10 in) long in adults, that travels behind the trachea and heart, passes through the diaphragm, and empties into the uppermost region of the stomach." - "During swallowing, the epiglottis tilts backwards to prevent food from going down the larynx and lungs." - "The wall of the esophagus from the lumen outwards consists of mucosa, submucosa (connective tissue), layers of muscle fibers between layers of fibrous tissue, and an outer layer of connective tissue." - "The mucosa is a stratified squamous epithelium of around three layers of squamous cells, which contrasts to the single layer of columnar cells of the stomach." - "Most of the muscle is smooth muscle although striated muscle predominates in its upper third." - "The lower sphincter helps to prevent reflux of acidic stomach content." - "The esophagus has a rich blood supply and venous drainage." - "Its smooth muscle is innervated by involuntary nerves (sympathetic nerves via the sympathetic trunk and parasympathetic nerves via the vagus nerve) and in addition voluntary nerves (lower motor neurons) which are carried in the vagus nerve to innervate its striated muscle." - "The esophagus passes through the thoracic cavity into the diaphragm into the stomach." - "The esophagus may be affected by gastric reflux, cancer, prominent dilated blood vessels called varices that can bleed heavily, tears, constrictions, and disorders of motility." - "Diseases may cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), painful swallowing (odynophagia), chest pain, or cause no symptoms at all." - "Clinical investigations include X-rays when swallowing barium sulfate, endoscopy, and CT scans." - "The esophagus is difficult to access in part due to its position between critical organs and directly between the sternum and spinal column."