Esophagus
General characteristics of the esophagus
The esophagus belongs to the main sections of the digestive tract. Connecting the pharynx with the stomach, it participates in swallowing food. This process allows the peristaltic muscles of the esophagus to be carried out, which, by contracting, push food to the stomach.
The length of this organ in an adult is in the range of 23-30 cm, while the thickness is only 4 to 6 mm.
The esophagus consists of three parts:
- Neck part. Its length is about 5-6 cm, it is located between the spinal column and the trachea;
- The thoracic part, which is about 17-19 cm long, is located along the posterior mediastinum. It also passes between the spine and the trachea, below it is located between the aorta and the heart;
- The abdominal part is located between the cardiac part of the stomach and the diaphragm. Its length is from 2 to 4 cm.
The width of the esophagus is uneven, it narrows at the junction of the esophagus and pharynx, then in the area where it is adjacent to the left bronchus, and, finally, there is a narrowing in the place where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm.
The structure of the esophagus
The esophagus is a hollow tube, the wall of which consists of several layers:
- The mucous membrane lines the esophageal cavity. It consists of mucous glands that secrete a secret that facilitates the movement of food during swallowing;
- The muscular layer is located in two layers: the outer longitudinal and circular inner. They work on the principle of antagonists: the first expands the esophagus, the second narrows it. The lower part of the muscular membrane forms the so-called lower esophageal sphincter - a dense muscle formation that separates the esophagus from the stomach;
- The adventitious layer of connective tissue lines the outer surface of the organ. Thanks to him, the esophagus is connected to the surrounding organs. Due to the looseness of the membrane, the esophagus is able to change its size: stretch, narrow, etc.
Esophagus functions
The main task of the organ is to deliver the food bolus to the stomach, otherwise this function is called transport or motor.
Also, the task of the esophagus is to lubricate food passing through it. The material for lubrication is produced by the secretory glands of the mucous membrane lining the cavity of the organ.
Finally, the esophagus is designed to protect against the penetration of food from the stomach back, that is, it promotes the movement of food in only one direction.
Diseases of the esophagus
The organ is susceptible to a whole range of different diseases. Lack of adequate treatment of the esophagus not only leads to pain, but can also disrupt the entire work of the digestive system. The most common diseases are described below:
- Cardiospasm belongs to the group of neuromuscular diseases. It is expressed in a violation of the reflex opening of the sphincter, as a result of which food cannot enter the stomach. The causes of the disease are not fully understood. Against the background of cardiospasm, various complications occur due to food retention in the esophagus. In adults, it can lead to the development of cancer of the esophagus and stomach, various inflammations. In children - to lung abscesses, bronchopneumonia, etc.;
- Hernia of the esophagus as a type of diaphragmatic hernia. The disease is congenital, traumatic or acquired in nature. It is characterized by the displacement of a part of the stomach, the abdominal zone of the esophagus into the chest cavity through the esophageal opening of the diaphragm. With a hernia of the esophagus, there are complaints of belching, pain in the chest and upper part of the stomach, heartburn. Most often, these symptoms are observed after a heavy meal. In some cases, vomiting may occur;
- Benign neoplasms. Their development is slow and rarely accompanied by symptoms. As a rule, they are discovered by chance, when a patient complains of swallowing disorders, which he has observed for several years;
- Esophageal cancer has severe symptoms. In the early stages, the patient may experience sternal discomfort, dysphagia, weight loss, and increased salivation. Later, severe pain in the esophagus develops. At present, esophageal cancer is one of the most common organ diseases (60-80% of the total number of diagnosed diseases). As a rule, it develops in patients whose age is about 50-60 years, is more often observed in smokers and alcohol abusers;
- Erosion of the esophagus is usually accompanied by a sensation of heartburn and pain, which become more pronounced when eating hard and dry food. In the morning periods, nausea may occur due to the ingress of gastric juice into the esophagus. As a result, irritation of the mucous membrane develops, flowing into inflammation and then into the erosion of the esophagus. This disease can only be detected during a gastroscopic examination. Treatment of the esophagus in this case should be immediate, since there is a high likelihood of bleeding and scarring. As a rule, with erosion of the esophagus, a special diet is prescribed, including foods that do not affect the release of hydrochloric acid;
- A foreign body in the esophagus, although not directly related to diseases, is a common reason for seeking medical attention. As a rule, pieces of food, accidentally swallowed objects, etc. can get stuck in the esophagus. Most often, in such situations, pain in the esophagus is felt, there are difficulties in swallowing and, if the cause is not eliminated in time, the general condition worsens.
Research methods of the esophagus
The doctor is able to prescribe adequate treatment of the esophagus only if the diagnosis is correctly made. For this purpose, various examination methods are used in medicine:
- X-ray contrast study allows you to detect changes in the position of the esophagus, to reveal the presence of narrowing, squeezing, as well as other violations. This method is effective in making diagnoses such as hernia of the esophagus, changes in the relief of the inner (mucous) membrane of the esophagus, and a number of others;
- With esophagoscopy, it is possible to examine in detail the inner wall of the esophagus, clarify its condition, and, if necessary, perform a biopsy. This method is often used in the diagnosis of inflammatory and tumor processes in the esophagus;
- Esophagotonography and esophagokymography are used to record contractions, tone, and pressure within the esophageal wall;
- Cardiac sphincter dysfunction allows assessment of the pH of the esophagus.
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