Clickable Torso

Image Copyright Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre

Please click on an organ
to learn more

The esophagus is a hollow tube beginning at the very back of the pharynx (throat) and ending at the stomach. Its function is to transport swallowed food and liquid from the throat, through the chest into the stomach. It has little digestive function. In other words, it is not active in the breakdown or absorption of food.

Esophagus Disorder

Esophageal Disorders

Reflux Esophagitis, Hiatal Hernia, Heartburn

These terms have all come to be associated with the same condition. The valve located at the very bottom of the esophagus just above the stomach is called the lower esophageal sphincter. It generally remains closed unless a person swallows. With swallowing, the valve opens, allowing liquids and food to pass into the stomach, and then the valve closes again. In some patients, for reasons we do not understand, the valve is incompetent and does not close properly. When the valve is not closed, acid is allowed to reflux (flow back up) from the stomach into the esophagus. This occurs more often when a person is lying down because gravity does not keep the food in his stomach as easily as when sitting or standing. It also occurs after meals when the stomach is full, and this is a time when the stomach makes large amounts of acid to begin the process of digestion. Certain foods and other substances make this condition worse by further interfering with the valve function. Included are alcohol, peppermint, tobacco, caffeine and particularly fatty foods (fried or greasy foods). These all lower the pressure of the valve making it even more incompetent.

Heartburn A

Heartburn A is a burning or hot sensation underneath the breast bone. Some patients state that they experience pain in the very pit of their stomachs while other patients describe that the discomfort continues up under the breast bone and sometimes into the throat. If the stomach contents reflux up into the throat, a patient may complain of an increased flow of saliva, a salty taste, or a sour or acid material in the back of his throat. Some patients awaken choking at night. The esophagus is not designed to tolerate this acid, and as a result the acid burns the lining of the esophagus. Many Americans experience minor degrees of heartburn. However, if it is a regular occurrence, the continual flow of acid up into the esophagus can cause ulceration of the esophagus. This leads to scarring at the bottom of the esophagus resulting in a stricture (narrowing). A stricture may prevent the passage of solid food especially bread or meat.

back to the top

Detecting Esophageal Disorders

Your Borland-Groover physician may wish to study you esophagus with an X-Ray known as an upper GI or by an endoscopic technique known as an EGD. In addition, an Endoscopic ultrasound may be ordered to help the physician better understand findings found at endoscopy.

back to the top