| lateral vaginal wall smear | A cytologic smear containing material obtained by scraping the lateral wall of the vagina near the junction of its upper and middle third; used for cytohormonal evaluation. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| lower respiratory tract smear | A group of cytologic specimens containing material from the lower respiratory tract and consisting mainly of sputum (spontaneous, induced) and material obtained at bronchoscopy (aspirated, lavaged, brushed); used for cytologic study of cancer and other diseases of the lungs. Synonym: bronchoscopic smear, sputum smear. (05 Mar 2000) |
| 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) |
| 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) |