Section 1F Flashcards
What do esophageal glands do?
Provide mucus for lubricating the passage of food down the Esophagus. Found in the esophageal submucosa
What type of epithlieum is found in the esophagus
Non-keratinized stratified squamos.
Wall of the esophagus is made of what three layers
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Muscularis
Where do the vascular plexus veins drain into from the esophagus?
The left gastric vein –> drains into the portal vein
In what people are esophageal varices found?
In cases of portal hypertension (an increase in pressure in the portal vein, usually due to cirrhosis).
Swallowing consists of what three phases?
Oral or voluntary phase
Pharyngeal phase
Esophageal phase
How does the histology of the esophagus differ from the rest of the GI tract?
Esophagus has no true serosal outer layer but is covered by a thin and poorly defined layer of connective tissue
In cases of portal hypertension, the submucosal venous spaces along with all of the other “draining” veins of the mid to lower esophagus may do what?
Enlarge into esophageal varices with prominent red wale spots.
How is swallowing initiated? This is the oral phase
By the voluntary action of collecting the oral contents on the tongue and propelling them backward to the pharynx (oral phase).
After swallowing is initiated what occurs especially in the pharyngeal muscles? This is the pharyngeal phase.
A wave of involuntary contraction in the pharyngeal muscles that pushes the material into the esophagus, as the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxes and opens (pharyngeal phase)
How does the epiglottis close the airway during swallowing?
The material tilts the epiglottis backward and down over the closed glottis as further protection from food entering the respiratory airways.
Is swallowing possible when the mouth is open?
It is difficult if not impossible when mouth is open, as anyone has spent time in the dentist’s chair feeling saliva collect in the throat is aware.
What happens once food enters the esophagus? This is the esophageal phase
Peristalsis takes over. Esophageal peristalsis involves a progressive wave of ring-like smooth contractions that propels food down to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
Does peristalsis occur if food is not present?
Esophageal peristalsis will occur whether or not food is present, although the presence of food will intensify the peristaltic contractions.
What occurs if the primary peristaltic wave fails to move food into the stomach?
The persistence of the food bolus in the esophagus will set off secondary peristaltic waves to complete the job.
