The Oesphagus Flashcards
How long roughly is an oesophagus
25cm
What is found at either end of the oesophagus
upper oesophagus shpincter
Lower oesophagus sphincter
What are layers of the oesophagus
Mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis externa
Adventitia
What type of epithelium is the mucosa of the oesophagus
Stratified squamous epithelium
What is found in the submucosa of the oesophagus
Glands/ducts for lubrication
What part of the muscularis externa of oesophagus is skeletal muscle
The upper 3rd
What part of the muscularis externa of oesophagus is smooth muscle
The lower 2/3rds
What does underdeveloped oesophageal sphincter cause in babies
Projectile vomiting
What are the phases of swallowing
Oral phase
Pharyngeal phase
Oesophageal phase
What happens in the Oral phase of swallowing
Voluntary pushing of food to back of mouth
What happens in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing
Presence of food activates swallowing reflex
The upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes and epiglottis covers trachea
The upper oesophageal sphincter contracts
What controls the swallowing reflex
The swallowing centre in the medulla
What lies beside the swallowing reflex centre
The breathing centre
Why does upper oesophageal sphincter contract after swallowing
To prevent food reflux
What happens in the oesophageal phase of swallowing
Peristalsis propels the food to the stomach
The lower oesophageal sphincter relaxes
