| reflux, oesophageal | A condition wherein stomach contents regurgitate or back up (reflux) into the oesophagus (a long cylindrical tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach). The food in the stomach is partially digested by stomach acid and enzymes. Normally, the partially digested acid content in the stomach is delivered by the stomach muscle into the small intestine for further digestion. In oesophageal reflux, stomach acid content refluxes backwards up into the oesophagus, occasionally reaching the breathing passages, causing inflammation and damage to the oesophagus, as well as to the lung and larynx (the voice box). The overall process is medically termed gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd). 10% of patients with gerd develop a barrett's oesophagus which can increase the risk of cancer of the oesophagus. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| cervical oesophageal web | <radiology> Post-cricoid web, M=F, 5% of UGI patients, anterior (antero-lateral), with or without dysphagia, Treatment: endoscopic disruption (lysis) see: oesophageal webs and rings (12 Dec 1998) |
| sliding oesophageal hiatal hernia | Displacement of the cardioesophageal junction and the stomach through the oesophageal hiatus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| speech, oesophageal | A method of speech used after laryngectomy, with sound produced by vibration of the column of air in the oesophagus against the contracting cricopharyngeal sphincter. (12 Dec 1998) |
| superior oesophageal sphincter | <anatomy, muscle> This is the horizontal muscle located at the top of the oesophagus. (13 Nov 1997) |
| diffuse oesophageal spasm | A disorder characterised by episodic contractions of the oesophagus. The oesophageal spasms fail to effectively propel food to the stomach. Symptoms may be confused with angina. Common symptoms include chest pains, epigastric pain, heartburn, pain on swallowing and difficulty swallowing. Treatment includes the use of sublingual nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers. (27 Sep 1997) |
| inferior oesophageal sphincter | A sphincter supposedly present at the oesophagogastric junction; this is in fact an extrinsic sphincter formed by the surrounding musculature of the oesophageal hiagus of the right crus of the diaphragm; causes a normally-occuring constriction at the oesophagogastric junction observable with a barium swallow. Synonym: sphincter constrictor cardiae. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intramural oesophageal dissection | <radiology> Submucosal dissecting haematoma, haematemesis, chest pain, double-barreled lumen, Treatment: none (supportive) see: oesophageal trauma (12 Dec 1998) |
| oesophageal | Related to the oesophagus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oesophageal achalasia | Constriction of the lower portion of the food pipe (oesophagus) due to inability of the muscles to relax. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, vomiting and heartburn. Treatment includes oesophageal dilation using special instruments or medications (for example nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers). (27 Sep 1997) |
| oesophageal acidity test | <investigation> A test which measures the frequency and duration of stomach acid that enters the oesophagus. After swallowing a thin tube into your stomach the tube is attached to a monitoring device. The pH is then monitored over time. This test is used to diagnose gastrooesophageal reflux disease. (27 Sep 1997) |
| oesophageal and gastric varices | Submucosal varices of the lower oesophagus or gastric fundus mucosa, frequently caused by the development of portal collateral vessels consequent to portal hypertension. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oesophageal arteries | Oesophageal branches of the following: 1) inferior thyroid artery; 2) left gastric artery; 3) thoracic aorta. (05 Mar 2000) |
| oesophageal atresia | A congenital anomaly where the upper oesophagus ends (atresia) and does not connect with the stomach and the lower oesophagus connects to the trachea (tracheoesophageal fistula). A common complication seen shortly after birth is an aspiration pneumonia. Infants will demonstrate excessive salivation, gagging and coughing with feeding, poor feeding and a bluish discolouration to the skin (cyanosis). Treatment involves the surgical repair of the oesophagus before the child can take anything by mouth. (27 Sep 1997) |
| oesophageal branches | Branches to the oesophagus. Synonym: rami oesophageales, rami oesophagei. (05 Mar 2000) |