swallowing is the mechanical action that moves food into the esophagus.
swallowing is the mechanical action that moves food into the esophagus.
what is the mechanical action that moves food into the esophagus?
swallowing
nutcracker esophagus is characterized as a motility disorder of the esophagus, meaning that it is caused by abnormal movement, or peristalsis of the esophagus. patients with motility disorders present with two key symptoms: either with chest pain (typically reported as non-cardiac chest pain as it is esophageal in origin), which is usually found in disorders of spasm, or with dysphagia (difficulty with swallowing). nutcracker esophagus can present with either of these, but chest pain is the more common presentation. the chest pain is very severe and intense, and mimics cardiac chest pain. it may spread into the arm and back. the symptoms of nutcracker esophagus are intermittent, and may occur with or without food. rarely, patients can present with a sudden obstruction of the esophagus after eating food (termed a food bolus obstruction, or the 'steakhouse syndrome') requiring urgent treatment. the disorder does not progress to produce worsening symptoms or complications, unlike other motility disorders (such as achalasia) or anatomical abnormalities of the esophagus (such as peptic strictures or esophageal cancer). many patients with nutcracker esophagus do not have any symptoms at all, as esophageal manometry studies done on patients without symptoms may show the same motility findings as nutcracker esophagus. nutcracker esophagus may also be associated with metabolic syndrome. the incidence of nutcracker esophagus in all patients is uncertain.
nutcracker esophagus
food is ingested through the mouth and when swallowed passes first into the pharynx and then into the esophagus. the esophagus is thus one of the first components of the digestive system and the gastrointestinal tract. after food passes through the esophagus, it enters the stomach. when food is being swallowed, the epiglottis moves backward to cover the larynx, preventing food from entering the trachea. at the same time, the upper esophageal sphincter relaxes, allowing a bolus of food to enter. peristaltic contractions of the esophageal muscle push the food down the esophagus. these rhythmic contractions occur both as a reflex response to food that is in the mouth, and also as a response to the sensation of food within the esophagus itself. along with peristalsis, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes.
esophagus