The human esophagus is a muscular narrow tube. It is the channel through which food moves. The length of the human esophagus is about 25 centimeters. Let's look at this section in more detail. Let's find out where the esophagus is located in a person, what tasks it implements. The article will also talk about the components of this department, as well as some of the most common pathologies of the organ.
General information
The human esophagus and stomach are two consecutive sections of the gastrointestinal tract. The second one is below. The first is located in the area from the 6th cervical to the 11th thoracic vertebrae. What is the structure of the human esophagus? It consists of three parts. The department includes the abdominal, thoracic and cervical zones. For clarity, a diagram of the human esophagus will be presented below. In the department there are also sphincters - upper and lower. They play the role of valves that ensure the unidirectional passage of food through the digestive tract. Sphincters prevent the penetration of aggressive contents from the stomach into the esophagus, and then the pharynx and oral cavity. There are also constrictions in the department. All of themfive. Two constrictions - pharyngeal and diaphragmatic - are considered anatomical. Three of them - bronchial, cardiac and aortic - are physiological. This is, in general, the structure of the human esophagus. Next, let's take a closer look at what the organ shells are.
Anatomy of the human esophagus
The department has a wall built from the mucosa, submucosa, as well as the adventitial and muscular layers. The latter in the upper part of the department is formed by striated fibers. Approximately in the region of 2/3 (counting from above), the structures are replaced by smooth muscle tissues. There are two layers in the muscular membrane: the inner circular and the longitudinal outer. The mucosa is covered by squamous stratified epithelium. In the thickness of this shell there are glands that open into the lumen of the organ. The mucosa is of the skin type. The squamous stratified epithelium rests on fine-fibered connective fibers. This own layer of the shell is made up of collagen structures. The epithelium also contains connective tissue cells and reticulin fibers. Own layer of the shell enters it in the form of papillae. In general, the anatomy of the human esophagus is quite simple. However, it is not so much important as the tasks that are implemented in this section of the gastrointestinal tract.
Functions of the human esophagus
This department has several tasks. The function of the human esophagus is to ensure the movement of food. This task is realized due to peristalsis, muscle contraction,changes in pressure and gravity. Mucus is also secreted in the walls of the department. It saturates the food lump, which facilitates its penetration into the stomach cavity. Also, the tasks of the channel include providing protection against the reverse flow of contents into the upper gastrointestinal tract. This function is realized thanks to the sphincters.
Violation of activity
Comparing the prevalence of pathologies of the esophagus and stomach, one can notice the following: the former are now detected much less frequently. Normally, the food taken passes without delay. It is believed that the human esophagus is less susceptible to certain irritations. In general, this department is quite simple in its structure. However, there are some nuances in its structure. Today, specialists have studied most of the existing congenital and acquired malformations of the department. More often than others, doctors diagnose the wrong anatomy of the sphincter that connects the stomach to the esophagus. Another fairly common defect is difficulty swallowing. In this pathological condition, the diameter of the human esophagus is reduced (normally it is 2-3 cm).
Symptoms of diseases
Often, pathologies of the esophagus are not accompanied by any manifestations. Nevertheless, violations in its work can lead to quite serious consequences. In this regard, it is necessary to pay attention to even seemingly insignificant symptoms. If any prerequisites are found, then you should immediately visit a doctor. Among the most common symptoms of esophageal pathologies, it should be noted:
- Heartburn.
- Burp.
- Epigastric pain.
- Difficulty passing food.
- Feeling of a lump in the throat.
- Pain in the esophagus while eating.
- Hiccup.
- Vomiting.
Spasm
In some cases, the difficulty in passing food is associated with spastic contractions of the muscles of the esophagus. Usually this condition occurs in young people. Persons prone to excitability and characterized by instability of the central nervous system are more prone to the development of spasm. Often the condition occurs under conditions of stress, rapid absorption of food, general nervousness. At a high rate of consumption of food, the human esophagus is subjected to mechanical irritation. As a result, a spasm develops at a reflex level. Often, muscle contraction is noted at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. In this case, cardiospasm occurs. Let's take a closer look at this state.
Cardiospasm
This condition accompanies the expansion of the esophagus. This anomaly is characterized by a gigantic increase in its cavity with morphological changes in the walls against the background of a sharp narrowing of its cardiac part - cardiospasm. Expansion of the esophagus can develop due to a variety of external and internal pathogenic factors, embryogenesis disorders, neurogenic dysfunctions leading to atony.
Causes of cardiospasm
The pathological state is supported by traumatic injury, ulcer, tumor. The provoking factor forfurther development is considered exposure to toxic compounds. These, in the first place, should include steam in hazardous industries, alcohol, tobacco. Increases the likelihood of developing cardiospasm stenosis of the esophagus, caused by damage against the background of typhoid fever, scarlet fever, syphilis and tuberculosis. Among the provoking factors, a special place is occupied by various pathologies of the diaphragm. These, in particular, include sclerosis of the opening. Subdiaphragmatic phenomena in the abdominal organs also have a negative effect. In this case, we are talking about aerophagia, gastritis, gastroptosis, peritonitis, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly. The supradiaphragmatic processes are also referred to provoking factors. Among them, in particular, aortic aneurysm, aortitis, pleurisy, mediastinitis are distinguished. Neurogenic factors include damage to the nervous peripheral apparatus of the esophagus. They can be caused by some infectious pathologies. For example, the cause can be measles, typhus, diphtheria, scarlet fever, meningoencephalitis, influenza, polio. Also, provoking factors include poisoning with toxic compounds at work and at home (lead, alcohol, arsenic, nicotine). Changes in the esophagus of the congenital type leading to gigantism probably develop at the stage of embryonic laying. Subsequently, this is manifested by sclerosis, thinning of the walls.
Achalasia
This disorder is neurogenic in nature. With achalasia, there is a violation of the functions of the esophagus. In pathology, disorders in peristalsis are observed. lower sphincter,acting as a locking mechanism between the esophagus and stomach, loses its ability to relax. Currently, the etiology of the disease is unknown, but experts speak of a psychogenic, infectious and genetic predisposition. Usually, the pathology is detected between the ages of 20 and 40.
Burns
They occur when certain chemical compounds enter the human esophagus. According to statistics, of the total number of people who received burns in this gastrointestinal tract, approximately 70% are children under ten years of age. Such a high percentage is due to the oversight of adults and the curiosity of kids, provoking them to taste many things. Often, adults get a burn of the esophagus when caustic soda, concentrated acid solutions penetrate inside. Less commonly, there are cases of exposure to lysol, phenol. The degree of injury is determined according to the volume and concentration of the compound ingested. At 1 tbsp. there is damage to the surface layer of the mucosa. The second degree is characterized by lesions in the muscles. Burn of the esophagus 3 tbsp. accompanied by damage in all layers of the department. In this case, not only local symptoms appear, but also general signs: intoxication and shock. After a burn 2-3 tbsp. cicatricial changes are formed in the tissues. The main symptom is a strong burning sensation in the mouth, throat and behind the sternum. Often, a person who has taken a caustic solution immediately vomits, swelling of the lips may appear.
Foreign body
Sometimes people get into the esophagusitems not intended for digestion. Unchewed pieces of food can act as foreign bodies. As practice shows, the presence of foreign elements is diagnosed quite often. A foreign body may appear in the esophagus due to eating foods too quickly, when laughing or talking while eating. Often bones of fish or chicken are found in this section. The appearance of a foreign object is characteristic of people who have the habit of keeping something inedible in their mouth all the time (paper clips, cloves, matches, etc.). As a rule, objects with a pointed end are introduced into the wall of the organ. This can provoke an inflammatory process.
Ulcer
This pathology can be caused by insufficient cardia, which provokes the penetration of gastric juice into the esophagus. He, in turn, has a proteolytic effect. Often an ulcer is accompanied by a lesion of the stomach and duodenum or a hernia in the esophageal opening of the diaphragm. Usually, single lesions are found on the walls, but in some cases, multiple manifestations are also diagnosed. Several factors contribute to the development of an esophageal ulcer. Pathology may be a consequence of surgery, hernia or peristalsis disorders. The main symptoms are constant heartburn, soreness behind the sternum, and belching. When eating and after it, these manifestations become more intense. Periodically occurring regurgitation of acidic contents fromstomach.
Atresia
This vice is considered quite severe. The pathology is characterized by blind completion of the upper part of the esophagus. Its lower segment communicates with the trachea. Often, against the background of esophageal atresia, other malformations in the development of certain body systems are also detected. The causes of the pathology are considered to be anomalies in the intrauterine formation of the fetus. If harmful factors affect the embryo at the 4th or 5th week of development, then the esophagus may begin to form incorrectly later.
