Upper GI tract Flashcards
Where is the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS)?
- 3-4 cm distal oesophagus within abdomen
- An intact phrenoesophageal ligament
- Angle of His
What surrounds LOS?
Diaphragm surrounds LOS (Lt & Rt crux)
What is stage 0?
oral phase
What happens during stage 0?
- Chewing & saliva prepare bolus
2. Both oesophageal sphincters constricted
What is stage 1?
Pharyngeal phase
What happens during stage 1?
- Pharyngeal musculature guides food bolus towards oesophagus
- Upper oesophageal sphincter opens reflexly
- LOS opened by vasovagal reflex (receptive relaxation reflex)
What is stage 2?
Upper oesophageal phase
What happens during stage 2?
- Upper sphincter closes
- Superior circular muscle rings contract & inferior rings dilate
- Sequential contractions of longitudinal muscle
What is stage 3?
Lower oesophageal phase
What happens during stage?
Lower sphincter closes as food passes through
What is oesophageal motility determined by?
by pressure measurements (manometry)
What is the pressure of peristaltic waves?
40 mmHg
What is the LOS resting pressure?
20 mmHg
When does the pressure of LOS decrease? What is it mediated by?
- ↓<5 mmHg during receptive relaxation
2. Mediated by inhibitory noncholinergic nonadrenergic (NCNA) neurons of myenteric plexus
What is can functional disorders of oesophagus be caused by?
- Abnormal oesophageal contraction
2. Failure of protective mechanisms for reflux
Why might there by abdnormal oesophageal contraction?
- Hypermotility
- Hypomotility
- Disordered coordination
Why could there be Failure of protective mechanisms for reflux?
GastroOesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
What is dysphagia?
difficulty in swallowing
Why is it important to localise dysphagia?
Localisation is important – cricopharyngeal sphincter or distal
What are the types of dysphagia?
-For solids or fluids
-Intermittent or progressive
-Precise or vague in appreciation
What is odynophagia?
pain on swallowing
What is regurgitation?
refers to return of oesophageal contents from above an obstruction - may be functional or mechanical
What is reflux?
passive return of gastroduodenal contents to the mouth
What is achalasia?
hypermobility
What is the cause of achalasia?
- Due to loss of ganglion cells in Aurebach’s myenteric plexus in LOS wall
- leads to decreased activity of inhibitory NCNA neurones
- Cannot relax LOS
What is the primary and secondary causes of achalasia?
• Primary: aetiology unknown
• Secondary
-Diseases causing oesophageal motor abnormalities similar to primary achalasia
•Chagas’ Disease
•Protozoa infection
•Amyloid/Sarcoma/Eosinophilic
Oesophagitis