Oesophagus

Question 1

What is the oesophagus

Answer 1

A muscular tube that runs from the pharynx to the stomach

Question 2

Where does the oesophagus pass through

Answer 2

The pharynx, neck, thorax, abdomen and abdomen

Question 3

What epithelium is found in the oesophagus

Answer 3

Stratified squamous non-keratinised epithelium

Question 4

What are the muscle layers of the oesophagus

Answer 4

Muscular is mucosae

Inside circular muscle and outside longitudinal muscle

Question 5

What muscle types are found in the oesophsgus

Answer 5

Upper part - skeletal
Middle part - mixed
Lower part - smooth

Question 6

What can acid reflux cause

Answer 6

Metaplasia - change of tissue nature
Dysplasia - precancerous
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Question 7

What is the oesophageal hiatus

Answer 7

The opening where the oesophagus penetrates the diaphragm

Question 8

What are sphincters

Answer 8

Muscles that surround tubes and serve as valves

Question 9

What are the sphincters of the oesophagus

Answer 9

Upper oesophageal sphincter and lower oesophageal sphincter

Question 10

Describe the upper oesophageal sphincter

Answer 10

Continuous with the inferior pharyngeal constrictor

Question 11

Describe the lower oesophageal sphincter

Answer 11

Relaxes to let food pass into the stomach

Contracts to prevent acid reflux

Question 12

What does the lamina propria in the mucosa contain

Answer 12

Mucus secreting gland as well as nerves and muscles

Question 13

What is the most superficial layer of the oesophagus

Answer 13

Adventitia

Question 14

What is the gastro-oesophageal junction

Answer 14

Abrupt transition from stratified squamous epithelium of the oesophagus to the simple columnar epithelium of the stomach

Question 15

What are the roles of swallowing

Answer 15

Transports food to stomach

Prevents food from entering the airway

Question 16

What are the stages of swallowing

Answer 16

Oral phase
Pharyngeal phase
Oesophageal phase

Question 17

What is dysphagia

Answer 17

Difficulty swallowing

Question 18

What are causes of dysphagia

Answer 18

Stroke
Genetic conditions
Neuromuscular disease or obstructions

Question 19

What is trachea-oesophageal fistula

Answer 19

The trachea and oesophagus become connected resulting in repeated vomiting

Question 20

What is zener’s diverticulum

Answer 20

Occurs in the oesophagus as a pouch posterior to the upper oesophageal sphincter

Question 21

How can dysphagia/alchasia be treated

Answer 21

Ballon dilation or treatment of underlying pathology

Question 22

What is the mucosa comprised of

Answer 22

Epithelium, lamina propria and muscular is mucosae

Question 23

What is the function of the muscularis mucosae

Answer 23

It is a thin layer of smooth muscle tissue and provides local movement of the mucosa

Question 24

What is present in the submucosa

Answer 24

Connective tissue that is thicker than the mucosal layer
Numerous small glands
Blood vessels
Lymphatics
Parasympathetic nerves

Question 25

What is present in the adventitia

Answer 25

Loose connective tissue (fibrous/adipose)

Question 26

What is Barrett’s oesophagus

Answer 26

Metaplasia - changing from stratified squamous to simple columnar
Glandular epithelium is also present

Question 27

What is anterior to the oesophagus

Answer 27

Trachea

Question 28

What is achalasia

Answer 28

Oesophageal motility disorder

Question 29

What are symptoms of a child with trachea-oesophageal fistula

Answer 29

Copious salivation, choking, cyanosis, coughing

Question 30

What happens in the oral phase of swallowing

Answer 30

Occurs voluntary in the mouth when the tongue forces the bolts of food towards the pharynx

Question 31

What happens in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing

Answer 31

Bonus passes into pharynx.

Question 32

What happens in the oesophageal phase of swallowing

Answer 32

Occurs involuntary in oesophagus. Oesophageal sphincter opens to allow food to pass through. Blous is moved down oesophagus through peristalsis