Definition of
Esophagus
He esophagus is he sector of the digestive tube which develops from pharynx until the stomach. The term comes from medieval Latin oesophagusitself derived from the Greek oisophagos.
The esophagus is present in vertebrates and also in invertebrates. In the case of human beingmeasures about 25 centimeters and its extension goes from the seventh or sixth cervical vertebra to the eleventh thoracic vertebra.
- The esophagus and food
- Various disorders and conditions
- Esophagus cancer
- Barrett’s disease and achalasia
- Related Topics Tree
The esophagus and food
This part of the digestive system is traversed by food, which enters through the mouthgo through the pharynxcross the esophagus and they arrive at stomach. In this process, the esophagus has an active participation, since its walls contract to promote the advance of the food.
For food to access the esophagus, the opening of the esophagus is generated. upper esophageal sphincter. Then the peristalsis (the waves of muscle contractions) that push you down until you slide through the lower esophageal sphincter and thus enter the stomach.
It is important to mention that, if the esophagus is at rest, the sphincters remain closed to prevent Reflux gastric acid and food from the stomach to the mouth. With the swallowinginstead, they open up. Aging causes the contractions of the esophagus and the pressure of the sphincters to lose strength, so the susceptibility to reflux increases with age.
It can serve you: Digestive system
Various disorders and conditions
He esophagus cancerhe Barrett’s esophagus and the esophageal achalasia are some of the disorders and diseases that can be recorded in this region of the body. Among the symptoms that help to detect them are the dysphagia (trouble swallowing) and sore throat (pain when swallowing).
Esophageal cancer usually begins in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus and can occur in any of its regions. It should be noted that it is more common in the male population than in the female population and that it is the sixth leading cause of deaths in the list of the most common due to some type of cancer Worldwide. In some countries, the appearance of this disease is attributed to the excessive consumption of substances such as alcohol or tobacco, obesity or poor eating habits.
See also: Tobacco
Esophagus cancer
In addition to the two mentioned above, some of the specific symptoms of esophageal cancer include the following:
* decrease in body weight spontaneously, without doing a weight loss regimen;
* burning, pressure, or pain in the chest;
* indigestion or heartburn, with a severity that escalates over the days;
* hoarseness or cough
Continue on: Body
Barrett’s disease and achalasia
With respect to disease Called Barrett’s esophagus, it is characterized by the presence of acid reflux, which causes significant damage to the lining of the esophagus, making it thicker and changing its color from pink to reddish. It all starts with the gastroesophageal reflux disease, a chemical damage that arises as a consequence of the failure of the lower sphincter, and that usually leads to regurgitation and heartburn. When it causes an alteration in certain cells in its lower part, Barrett’s esophagus occurs.
Achalasia occurs when the esophagus cannot carry food to the stomach normally. once again evil functioning of the lower sphincter is among the causes; in this particular case, it doesn’t relax as it should to allow the food to pass through. The muscular activity in general of the esophagus can also be reduced or nullified. One of the origins of this condition is damage to the esophageal nerves, but it can also derive from a cancer picture or a parasitic infection caused by Chagas disease.
See also: Nerves