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Esophageal sphincter |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.01 sec. |
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Esophageal sphincter A circular band of muscle that closes the last few centimeters of the esophagus and prevents the backward flow of stomach contents. Mentioned in: Achalasia sphincter a circular muscle that constricts a passage or closes a natural orifice. When relaxed, a sphincter allows materials to pass through the opening. When contracted, it closes the opening. The principal abnormalities relate to function. Failure to open may be because of spasm or achalasia, due usually to failure of parasympathetic nerve supply. Failure to close usually due to absence of sympathetic nerve supply. The important sphincters are the anal, ileal, pharyngoesophageal, pupillary, pyloric, reticulo-omasal, teat, urethral, vaginal and vesical. cardiac sphincter the functional sphincter at the gastric end of the esophagus. sphincter control is by the autonomic nervous system. esophageal sphincter see cardiac sphincter. sphincter of Oddi bile duct sphincter. pupillary sphincter a ring of smooth muscle around the pupillary border of the iris. How 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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Findings on transnasal esophagoscopy were normal except for the presence of a widely patulous lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (figure). Pneumomediastinum coexistent with achalasia is usually due to esophageal perforation from pneumatic dilation of the lower esophageal sphincter, (8) or rarely with botulinum toxin injection of the distal esophagus. GERD occurs when the esophageal sphincter, the ring of muscle at the top of the stomach, allows acid to creep up the esophagus. |
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