ANP 330 Lecture Notes - Lecture 57: Esophageal Varices, Hiatus Hernia, Esophageal Cancer
Document Summary
The main function of the esophagus is to move food from the back of the mouth to the stomach. The adult esophagus is about 10 in (25 cm) long. It is consists of a layer of cells that secretes mucus and two layers of muscle, one circular and one longitudinal. This combination of muscles allows the esophagus to contract and propel food from the mouth the stomach. 4 categories of esophagus abnormalities structural abnormalities, motility disorders, inflammatory disorders, and malignancies. Difficulty swallowing, pain, hoarseness, weight loss, bleeding, regurgitation (water brash), heart burn (pyrosis), hiccups. Gerd results when defenses of the lower esophagus are overwhelmed by the reflux of stomach acidic contents into the esophagus. acidic gastric secretions that reflux up into the lower esophagus causes esophageal irritation & inflammation. Additionally, gastric enzyme (pepsin) & intestinal enzyme (trypsin) & bile salts corrode the esophageal mucosa. The condition is characterized by the failure of the les to remain normally closed between swallows.
