Mouth and esophagus Flashcards
What 3 layers make up the esophagus?
Mucosa, Submucosa and Esophageal muscle
What differentiates upper esophagus from lower?
Upper 1/3 esophagus is skeletal and sphincter is voluntary (burping, vomitting)
Lower 2/3 is smooth muscle and muscle is not voluntary (Stops acid reflux)
How are the muscle layers arranged in the esophagus?
Ring inner muscles [for peristalsing]
Longitudinal outer [to hold everything together]
What part of the esophagus does oropharyngeal dysphagia occur?
Upper esophagus by larynx.
What are symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia?
Difficulty making bolus Can't swallow Regurgitates/aspirates Coughs and chokes More difficult if liquids
Causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia?
Neurologic (Parkinson’s, amyotrophic sclerosis, CVA)
Iatrogenic (Surgery)
Structural (Neoplasm, diverticula, crycopharyngeal bar)
How do you visualize oropharyngeal disorders?
Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) food laced with barium and then take x-ray video of it.
What are symptoms of esophageal dysphagia?
Regurgitation and chest pain (GERD)
coughing/choking (unrelated to swalllowing)
Feeling as if something stuck in throat
What are some causes of esophageal dysphagia?
Abnormal peristalsis/swallowing
Poor function of Lower sphincter
Achalasia, Scleroderma, GERD
How would you visualize esophageal dysphagia?
Manometer (measures duration, strength and pattern peristalsis)
Chest x ray (will see bird beak sign)
Endoscopy to rule out other causes
Treatment for esophageal dysphagia?
Depends on severity - dysphagia diet
Moderate to severe: Level 1 - Puddingy foods
Mild to moderate: Level 2 - Moist/soft food (mincemeat)
Almost normal: Level 3 - normal food in bite sizes
Make sure to eat upright, quietly and slowly
Make exaggerated swallowing motions with head and no food left in cheeks when done
Prognosis for esophageal dysphagia?
Depends on etiology
Main worry is aspiration pneumonia
What is achalasia?
Poor peristalsis and the continual constriction of lower esophageal sphincter
Symptoms of achalasia?
Regurgitation without acid reflux
“Something stuck in my throat”
Drink water to try to wash it down
Pathophysiology of achalasia?
Postganglionic inhibitory neurons fail - lower sphincter stays constricted
Usually idiopathic
How would you visualize achalasia?
Chest x ray: Birdbeak toward bottom of esophagus
Manometer: Poor contraction and poor LES relaxtion
Endoscopy: Rule out and check for cancer