Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Digestive System > Oesophageal Function > Flashcards

Oesophageal Function Flashcards

1
Q

What happens if accurate swallowing isn’t achieved?

A

Choking

Aspiration (wrong hole)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 3 phases of swallowing? Their sensory components are?

A

1) Oral (voluntary/striated muscle)
2) Pharyngeal (involuntary/stirated muscle)
3) Oesophageal (involuntary/ striated and smooth)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Swallowing centre

A

region in brainstem that receives sensory input from receptors in back of mouth and upper pharynx.
Also innervates swallowing muscles via cranial nerves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is swallowing controlled by? What does that mean for stroke sufferers?

A

Cortex and brainstem. People who have had strokes in these areas can develop swallowing disorders

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the phases of Oral Phase?

A 
Preparatory phase ( formation of bolus)
Transfer Phase (bolus propelled into the pharynx)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe Preparation phase (oral phase)

A 
Saliva= Lubrication and dissolving
Mastication = breaks down solids into smaller size, shape and consistency suitable for transport. Teeth grind, and tongue and cheeks position this to happen.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe Transfer phase (oral phase)

A

tip of tongue comes into contact with the hard palate.
close off anterior oral cavity
Bolus pushed to back off mouth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The Pharyngeal Phase #2

A

lasts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 3 passages required to be closed in the pharyngeal phase?

A

1) mouth
2) upper airway/nasopharynx
3) Lower airway (to protect trachea from aspiration)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is the UOS

A

upper oesophageal sphincter.
Acts as a barrier between the pharynx and oesophagus and is usually closed.
A complex of muscles often in a state of tonic contraction, that relaxes intermittently

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does UOS prevent?

A

air distending the stomach

reflux of contents into pharynx and larynx during oesophageal peristalsis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What muscles do UOS consist of?

A

Cricopharyngeus
Inferior Pharyngeal constrictor
cervical oesophagus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How is it that UOS opens how for how long?

A
  • Cricopharyngeus relaxes
  • suprahyoid and thyrohoid muscles contract
  • pressure of descending bolus distendeds UOS

Opens for 0.5 s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Oesophagus Function and structure?

A 
from UOS to LOS
~20-25cm long
mucosa= stratified squamous epithelium
upper 1/3 striated (voluntary)
lower 2/3 smooth (involuntary)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Oesophageal Phase?

A

UOS relaxes, bolus enters and is propelled down oesophagus via peristalsis
Primary: initiated by swallowing, cont of pharyngeal contraction wave but slower, 3-5cm/s
Secondary: initiated by distention, activated stretch receptors initiate local reflex response > peristalsis

lasts 5-6s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How does oesophageal peristalsis occur

A

ANS (para/sympathetic) and the Enteric NS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the nerve plexus of the GI tract

A 
submucosal plexus
myenteric plexus (between circular longitudinal muscles)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Why is ES interesting?can operate independent/autonomously

A

can operate independent/ autonomously. Can also communicate with PS and S

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

The oesophagus is mostly covered in…

A

Adventitia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

the circular layer contracts…

A

above and relaxes below bolus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

the longitudinal layer

A

shortens during peristalsis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what is the LOS

A

a specialised segment of smooth muscle that is tonically contracted, close to the squamocolumnar junction (20-35 mmHg)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What causes LOS to relax

A

Swallowing: 1-2s after swallow, lasts 5-10s, followed by hypercontraction
Physiologically: intermittently relaxes to release air from stomach, only happens in an upright position, mediated via vagus nerve

24
Q

Investigation of the Oesophagus

A

Gastroscopy: flexible telescope
Barium Swallow: xray test, asses function/motility
pH Study: may have reflux but unsure. involves cathater above gastro-oesophageal junction to test pH
Manometry: Like pH to test pressure/propagation of wave.

25
Structural diseases of the oesophagus
- inflammation - ischemia/necrosis - ulceration - bleeding - narrowing - masses - diverticulum
26
Dysmotility diseases of the oesophagus
abnormal contraction of the oesophageal muscles
27
Functional diseases of the oesophagus
disorders of motility, sensation and brain-gut dysfunction.
28
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
gastric contents into oesophagus. Occurs during transient LOS relaxation without the protective columnar epithelium, acidic contents damage.
29
When does Transient LOS relaxation become pathological?
When too much gastric juice refluxes into the oesophagus causing symptoms/disease
30
Causes of G-O reflux
Hypotensive LOS (caffiene, alcohol, fats or certain meds eg) beta-blockers, nitrates) Hiatus Hernia Impaired oesophageal peristalsis (less clearance)
31
Hiatus Hernia
Hiatus = diaphragm opening diaphragm = additional support to the sphincter stomach passes through hiatus into the chest, due to a diaphragmatic weakening, now you have an area that can freely reflux
32
pH of oesphagus and stomach
``` oesophagus= 6-7 stomach= 1-2 ```
33
Symptoms of acid reflux
Heartburn regurgitation sour/bitter taste in mouth (worse after eating/lying down)
34
Why to the symptoms of gastric acids occur?
The gastric acid (pH 1-2) comes into contact with the oesophageal mucosa (pH6-7) which is sensitive to it, and nerve fibres give the sensation of burning. Chronic acid causes damage
35
Structural complication of GORD
Reflux oesophagitis (inflammation, ulceration and bleeding) Peptic Stricture (narrowing from prolonged inflammation leading to fibrosis and scarring) Barretts oesophagus cancer
36
Whats Barrett's oesophagus
``` Oesophageal epithelium (squamous) transforms to become like gastric (columnar + goblet) in an attempt to adapt to damage. "intestinal metaplasia" loss of z line ```
37
Evolution of Barrets oesophagus to cancer?
Squamous oesophagus > chronic inflammation > Barrets metaplasia > Low-grade dysplasia > High-grade dysplasia > cancer (adenocarcinoma)
38
2 types of oesophageal cancer the the risk factors
Adenocarcinoma (adenoCa): GORD, Barret's more in distal oesp/GO junction Squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC): smoking, alcohol, diet SqCC usually higher up
39
Ring/web
found distally, thin mucosal memmbrane, associated with hiatus hernia. Can obstruct passage of food, difficulty swallowing (dysphasia)
40
Zenker's Diverticulum
Excessive pressure cause weakest part of pharynx to balloon out Leads to poor swallowing and impair relaxation of cricopharyngeus, more common in eldery
41
Stricture
Peptic: reflux related Caustic: custic injury post-radiotherapy/surgical malignant Narrowing of oesophagus
42
Reflux oesophagitis
inflammation due to GORD. Bleeding, ulceration, perforation 1) bleeding - haematemesis (vomiting blood) 2) Dysphagia can lead to peptic strictures
43
Oesophageal Candidiasis
Thrush, with white plaques coating oesophagus
44
Ulceration
Herpes simple virus. Pill induced (doxycycline) | or bisphosphates
45
Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Eosinophils infiltrate the epithelium of oesophagus = circular appearance -allergy mediated
46
Motility Disorders of the oesophagus
``` Dysphasia present (difficult swallowing). Likely intermittent/variable symptoms. Liquids just as affected ```
47
Achlasia (motility disorder)
neuro-degenration of oesophageal nerves - myenteric plexus and LOS inhibitory nerves - loss of peristalsis and failure of LOS to relax, birds beak of dilation occurs
48
Diffuse oesophageal spasm
"corkscrew oesophagus" non-peristaltic onset of contraction -dysphasia and chest pain
49
Nutcracker Oesophagus
Normal but extremely strong peristaltic contractions
50
Sclerodema
CT disease, hardening (fibrosis) of skin and CT Damage occurs to submucosa (nerves/BV) =rubbery hose-pipe No peristalsis, weak contraction, LOS has no tone -dysphagia and reflux
51
What can you use to diagnose motility disorders
manometry
52
Four landmarks that indent the oesophagus
cricoid Aortic arch left main bronchus diaphragm
53
Sup border of mouth
hard & soft palate
54
Ant/Lat border of the mouth
Cheeks, lips, tongue body
55
Inferior border of the mouth
glenohyoid and thyrahyoid
56
Posterior border of the mouth
ulva (soft palate) Palantine tounsils root of tongue Linguinal tonsil

Digestive System (27 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions