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esophagus |
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esophagus /esoph·a·gus/ (ĕ-sof´ah-gus) the musculomembranous passage extending from the pharynx to the stomach.
Esophagus The tube connecting the throat to the stomach, which is about ten inches long in adults. It is coated with mucus and surrounded by muscles, and pushes food to the stomach by sequential waves of contraction. It functions to transport food from the throat to the stomach and to keep the contents of the stomach in the stomach. Mentioned in: Achalasia, Antigastroesophageal Reflux Drugs, Bariatric Surgery, Bleeding Varices, Cutis Laxa, Failure to Thrive, Hypothermia, Lower Esophageal Ring, Sclerotherapy for Esophageal Varices esophagus [esof′əgəs] Etymology: Gk, oisophagos the musculomembranous canal, about 24 cm long, extending from the pharynx to the stomach. It begins in the neck at the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage, opposite the sixth cervical vertebra, and descends to the cardiac sphincter of the stomach in a vertical path with two slight curves. The esophagus is composed of a fibrous coat, a muscular coat, and a submucous coat and is lined with mucous membrane. Also spelled oesophagus. Also called gullet. esophageal, adj. esophagus (isof´ n the muscular canal extending from the pharynx to the stomach. esophagus the musculomembranous passage extending from the pharynx to the stomach, consisting of an outer fibrous coat, a muscular layer (all striated in dogs and ruminants, plus some smooth muscle in cats, pigs and horses), a submucous layer, and an inner mucous membrane. Each end is equipped with a functional sphincter although these are not distinct anatomically. redundant esophagus a ventral esophageal deviation at the thoracic inlet. Seen on x-rays, mainly in brachycephalic dogs. esophagus See Esophageal etc. Patient discussion about Esophageal disorder. Q. Cn barret esophagous be cured? I was diagnosed with barretts esophagus several years ago, and so far keeps on the routine follow up. I met some other guy with same condition and he told after his doctor prescribed him with some anti-reflux meds, in the last endoscopy they found normal esophagus, and that he thinks he's now cured. Is that possible? A. No. It can't be totally cured, especially not the risk of malignancy. The esophagus may seem normal, but the potentially cancerous cells are still there. Q. do we need the esophagus to live? If we were to take our esophagus away would we still live? A. Principally, yes. Feeding can be done through a hole in the stomach (PEG). Life is possible this way, although one may argue about the quality of life in this situation. Read more or ask a question about Esophageal disorderHow to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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In adults most patients have underlying esophageal disorder or from undiagnosed illness. Although the study is small, the results appear significant, Levine says, noting that this esophageal disorder is rare in the general pediatric population. ZEGERID Powder for Oral Suspension was reviewed by Donald Castell, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director, Esophageal Disorders Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, past president of the American Gastroenterological Association and a member of the Santarus Medical Advisory Board. |
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