DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
(DISTINCT FEATURES)
The digestive system is uniquely designed to
turn the food you eat into nutrients, which the
body uses for energy, growth and cell repair
ESOPHAGUS
The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat (pharynx)
with the stomach. The esophagus is about 8 inches long, and is lined
by moist pink tissue called mucosa. The esophagus runs behind the
windpipe (trachea) and heart, and in front of the spine. By means of a
series of contractions, called peristalsis, the esophagus delivers food
to the stomach. Just before the connection to the stomach there is a
"zone of high pressure," called the lower esophageal sphincter; this is
a "valve" meant to keep food from passing backwards into the
esophagus.
GASTROESOPHAGEAL
JUNCTION
The gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), which is defined as the point
where the distal esophagus joins the proximal stomach (cardia), is a
short anatomic area that is commonly exposed to the injurious effects
of GERD and/or Helicobacter pylori infection. The gastroesophageal
junction has been defined as the point where there are no longer any
submucosal esophageal glands or the proximal extent of the gastric
oxyntic glands. It is important to remove the gastric fat pad to
accurately identify the gastroesophageal junction during a Nissen
fundoplication or a Heller myotomy.
STOMACH
The stomach has four major regions: the cardia, fundus, body, and
pylorus. The addition of an inner oblique smooth muscle layer gives
(DISTINCT FEATURES)
The digestive system is uniquely designed to
turn the food you eat into nutrients, which the
body uses for energy, growth and cell repair
ESOPHAGUS
The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat (pharynx)
with the stomach. The esophagus is about 8 inches long, and is lined
by moist pink tissue called mucosa. The esophagus runs behind the
windpipe (trachea) and heart, and in front of the spine. By means of a
series of contractions, called peristalsis, the esophagus delivers food
to the stomach. Just before the connection to the stomach there is a
"zone of high pressure," called the lower esophageal sphincter; this is
a "valve" meant to keep food from passing backwards into the
esophagus.
GASTROESOPHAGEAL
JUNCTION
The gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), which is defined as the point
where the distal esophagus joins the proximal stomach (cardia), is a
short anatomic area that is commonly exposed to the injurious effects
of GERD and/or Helicobacter pylori infection. The gastroesophageal
junction has been defined as the point where there are no longer any
submucosal esophageal glands or the proximal extent of the gastric
oxyntic glands. It is important to remove the gastric fat pad to
accurately identify the gastroesophageal junction during a Nissen
fundoplication or a Heller myotomy.
STOMACH
The stomach has four major regions: the cardia, fundus, body, and
pylorus. The addition of an inner oblique smooth muscle layer gives
