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Oesophagus
The oesophagus is a muscular tube in the chest that connects the mouth and throat to the stomach. It is mainly protected by the neck and the chest cavity. It lies between the windpipe and the spinal cord and is about 26 cm long in adults.
Parts of the oesophagus
The oesophagus has three main sections - the upper, middle and lower. The wall of the oesophagus has three layers of muscle, called the mucosa, sub mucosa and muscularis.
These muscles help to push food down towards the stomach when you swallow. The mucosa is the innermost muscle layer. It is covered with a skin-like lining on the inside of the oesophagus.
The oesophagus joins to the top part of the stomach (called the cardia). There is a valve here that helps to keep the stomach contents from coming back up into the oesophagus. The valve is called the cardiac sphincter.
Functions of the Oesophagus
Through a muscular movement called peristalsis, the muscles in the wall of the oesophagus, push food towards the stomach. The oesophagus muscles are very strong and they work in a coordinated way to move the food and drinks in the digestion process.
Through peristalsis, the food is propelled forward until it reaches a ring-like valve called the sphincter at the junction of the oesophagus. The sphincter valve is normally closed but it opens to allow the food to pass through into the stomach.
Conditions that affect the Oesophagus
Some of the common problems with the oesophagus include:
- Heartburn - It is a feeling of discomfort or burning or even pain felt rising up from the lower chest into the neck. Some people call it indigestion. Heartburn is due to stomach acid rising up into the oesophagus, where it can cause pain and inflammation.
- Reflux in Children – There is times when the sphincter allows swallowed food and drinks to move back to the oesophagus. It can happen in adults but is more common in children
- Cancer of the Oesophagus- Cancer of the oesophagus or gullet develops as a result of cell changes in the lining of the oesophagus.
Heartburn is the most common problem with the oesophagus but can be easily taken care of with a good diet and avoiding overeating.
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