GORD/Hiatus Hernias Flashcards
What pain is Paul experiencing?
Dull pain
When does it normally occur?
After dinner
Especially if he eats late
How does it affect his everyday activities?
Stresses him- unsure about what to eat
Loses sleep
Describe the anatomical course of the oesophagus?
beginning
Neck (C6)
Continuous superiorly with the laryngeal part of the pharynx
Describe the anatomical course of the oesophagus?
middle
descends downward into the superior mediastinum
positioned between the trachea and the vertebral bodies of T1 to T4
Where does the oesophagus enter the abdomen?
Oesophageal hiatus at T10
What is the layers of the oesophagus?
Adventitia
Muscle layer
Submucosa
Mucosa
What is the adventitia?
outer layer of connective tissue
Where is there serosa rather than adventitia?
very distal and intraperitoneal portion of the oesophagus
What is the muscle layer?
external layer of longitudinal muscle and inner layer of circular muscle
What is the external layer composed of in each third?
Superior third – voluntary striated muscle
Middle third – voluntary striated and smooth muscle
Inferior third – smooth muscle
What is mucosa?
non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium (contiguous with columnar epithelium of the stomach).
How is food transported through the oesophagus?
peristalsis
What is peristalsis?
Rhythmic contractions of the muscles, which propagates down the oesophagus
What can interfere with peristalsis?
Hardening of muscle layers can also cause dysphagia
What are oesophageal sphincters?
upper and lower oesophageal sphincters. They act to prevent the entry of air and the reflux of gastric contents respectively.
What is the upper o.s.?
anatomical, striated muscle sphincter at the junction between the pharynx and oesophagus
What produces the upper o.s.?
cricopharyngeus
What is the function of the upper o.s.?
prevent the entrance of air into the oesophagus
What is the lower o.s.?
located in the gastro-oesophageal junction
situated to the left of the T11 vertebra, and is marked by the change from oesophageal to gastric mucosa
What 4 phenomena form the lower o.s.?
The oesophagus enters the stomach at an acute angle.
The walls of the intra-abdominal section of the oesophagus are compressed when there is a positive intra-abdominal pressure.
The folds of mucosa present aid in occluding the lumen at the gastro-oesophageal junction.
The right crus of the diaphragm has a “pinch-cock” effect.
What are the four physiological constrictions in the lumen on the oesophagus?
Arch of aorta
Bronchus (left main stem)
Cricoid cartilage
Diaphragmatic hiatus
What is a physiological constriction?
Where food/foreign objects are likely to get stuck
What is Barrett’s oesophagus?
metaplasia of lower oesophageal squamous epithelium to gastric columnar epithelium