Many people don’t stop to think about how important the esophagus is in the process of digestion. In fact, many people don’t stop to think about this organ until they are suffering from something like acid reflux. The term esophagus is derived from the Latin word oesophagus, which itself is derived from the Greek term oisophagos. Translated, this means, “what carries and eats”.
How does the esophagus function?
The esophagus has the simplest function in the process of digestion. It is not involved in breaking down food matter, but merely conveying the chewed food from the mouth to the stomach. It starts at the back of the oral cavity and runs through a hole in the diaphragm to the stomach. The movement of the food from the mouth to the stomach is done in a wavelike motion so as to force it along; this motion is what makes it possible for someone to eat and drink even if they are upside down. It is roughly 25 – 30 centimeters long (approximately 9 ½ to 12 inches) and is divided into three parts, namely cervical, thoracic and abdominal.
The process by which food moves through the esophagus is called peristalsis. A series of muscles work to get the food down to the stomach where the secondary phase of digestion will occur. The esophagus is protected from abrasive food particles by a layer of cells known as the stratified squamous epithelium. The esophagus can be damaged, or severely irritated by stomach acid. However, the presence of lining known as the mucosa (a soft, moist tissue) provides some protection against acids. Food is prevented from travelling back up to the mouth by a mechanism called a sphincter that ‘pinches’ the upper part of the esophagus to close it.
Disorders of the esophagus
The esophagus has sphincters at the upper and lower ends. These muscles remain closed except during the swallowing process. When the lower sphincter does not function properly, stomach contents can make their way into the esophagus. This condition is known as acid reflux or heartburn. This is typically identified by a sharp pain or burning feeling in the chest.
These symptoms are similar to those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This can be due to an irreversible malfunction of the lower sphincter, or what is known as a hiatus hernia. If the stomach acid makes its way to the throat, this is called Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease. In this case, symptoms of heartburn may not be present, which usually leads to a misdiagnosis of a sinus problem. The symptoms include hoarseness, coughing, sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
If untreated, gastroesophageal reflux can lead to ulcers in the esophagus. This can give rise to a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus or Barrett’s syndrome. Patients with this condition are thought to be at a higher risk for developing esophageal cancer.
Esophagus health
While there is no way to accurately predict who will develop certain disorders of the esophagus, treatment usually includes a change of diet. Patients are asked to avoid foods high in fat, caffeine, chocolate and carbonated beverages. Any smoker who suffers from acid buildup should consider quitting the habit. Often patients will also be encouraged to eat smaller portions, and to drink lots of water as a means of neutralizing stomach acid. Acidic fruits like oranges should also be avoided when the stomach is empty. Apart from eating sensibly, excessive or prolonged heartburn should be reported to a doctor so that any potential health risks can be caught early.
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