Ayah Oglat

Esophageal and Gastric Function

As elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract, the anatomy, morphology, and physiology of the esophagus and stomach are adapted and designed to subserve their respective functions. Thus, the esophagus transports the food bolus from the posterior pharynx to the stomach and at the same time protects the airway and minimizes gastroesophageal reflux. The stomach then relaxes to accommodate the meal and thereafter ensures the timely and coordinated delivery of the meal to the small intestine in a format that optimizes digestive activity there. These complex and highly integrated functions are based on the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of the esophagogastric musculature and the local regulatory and modulatory role of the enteric nervous system with input from the central nervous system via the autonomic nerves.