Digestive System: Esophagus

Question 1

What is the function of the esophagus?

Answer 1

Transfer bolus to stomach from the oropharynx

Question 2

What surface epithelium makes up the mucosa of the esophagus?

Answer 2

Stratified squamous

Question 3

What is unique about the surface epithelium of the esophagus?

Answer 3

Contains Langerhans cells: APC with possible phagocytosis

Question 4

What makes up the lamina propria of the esophgus?

Answer 4

Loose areolar CT

Question 5

What kind of glands can the lamina propria of the esophagus have?

Answer 5

Esophageal cardiac glands

Question 6

What is the function of the esophageal cardiac glands?

Answer 6

Produce neutral mucus to protect esophageal epithelium

Question 7

What are the two regions where the esophageal cardiac glands located?

Answer 7

Often near the pharynx ~ 1 inch

Near the stomach ~last inch (first discovered here)

Question 8

What is the muscularis mucosae of the esophagus?

Answer 8

Discontinuous layer of longitudinal muscle

Question 9

Where is the muscularus mucosa of the esophagus thinner at? Thicker at?

Answer 9

Thinner distally (by pharynx) and thicker proximally (by stomach)

Question 10

What is the submucosa of the esophagus made up of?

Answer 10

Dense fibroelastic CT

Question 11

What kind of glands does the submucosa of the esophagus contain?

Answer 11

Esophageal glands (proper) that are scattered

Question 12

What is the function of the esophageal glands?

Answer 12

Produce slightly acidic mucus to lubricate the movement of food

Question 13

How does parasympathetic stimulation affect the gut?

Answer 13

Stimulates peristalsis, inhibits sphincters, activates secretion

Question 14

How does sympathetic stimulation affect the gut?

Answer 14

Inhibits peristalsis, contracts sphincters, controls blood flow to the gut

Question 15

Where does parasympathetic stimulation to the gut come from?

Answer 15

Vagus nerve EXCEPT the descending colon/rectum which comes from sacral nerves

Question 16

Where does sympathetic stimulation to the gut come from?

Answer 16

Splanchnic nerves

Question 17

What makes up the muscularis externa of the esophagus?

Answer 17

Normal pattern of inner circular and outer longitudinal layers

Question 18

What kind of muscle makes up the upper 1/3 of the esophagus? Middle 1/3? Lower 1/3?

Answer 18

Upper 1/3- Skeletal muscle
Middle 1/3- Mixture of smooth and skeletal muscle
Lower 1/3- Smooth muscle

Question 19

Does the esophagus contain mostly serosa or adventitia?

Answer 19

Contains mostly adventitia except the last 1/2 inches after the diaphragm (which is serosa)

Question 20

How many physiological sphincters make does the esophagus have? What are their names?

Answer 20

Two; Pharyngoesophageal sphincter and Gastroesophageal sphincter (lower esophageal sphincter)

Question 21

Where is the pharyngoesophageal sphincter located?

Answer 21

Between the oropharynx and esophagus

Question 22

Where is the gastroesophageal sphincter located?

Answer 22

Between esophagus and stomach

Question 23

Which esophageal sphincter is prone to problems from abrupt change?

Answer 23

Gastroesophageal sphincter

Question 24

What 4 complimentary forces does the gastroesophageal/lower esophageal sphincter involve?

Answer 24

Diaphragm contraction
Greater intra-abdominal pressure than inta-gastric pressure being exerted upon the abdominal part of the esophagus
Peristalsis
Maintenance of correct anatomical arrangements of structures

Question 25

What are the characteristics for physiological sphincters?

Answer 25

No thickening of circular muscle in muscularis externa

Pressure gradient aids movement (muscle contractions and gravity help)