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Designing for Upper Torso and Arm Anatomy
Published in Karen L. LaBat, Karen S. Ryan, Human Body, 2019
The esophagus is a tubular structure with smooth muscle in its wall. Its primary function is transporting food and liquid to the stomach. Peristalsis, intermittent smooth muscle contractions and relaxations, propel small portions of material through this hollow structure, somewhat like squeezing toothpaste from a tube. It is well protected in its central position (refer to Figure 4.1). The esophagealhiatus is a relatively small opening in the diaphragm, allowing the esophagus to travel from the upper body into the stomach. Because the esophagus is hollow and connected to the stomach, with no physical structure to prevent backflow, stomach contents can also be pushed upward into the distal esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux is the medical term for this phenomenon—heartburn is the common term.
World Trade Center Health Program best practices for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease
Published in Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 2023
Ruth A. Lin, Geoffrey M. Calvert, Iris G. Udasin
GERD is characterized by symptoms of heartburn (i.e., a substernal burning sensation starting in the epigastrium and moving upwards toward the neck), food regurgitation, chest pain, and dysphagia. Atypical or extra esophageal reflux symptoms include chronic dry cough, pharyngitis with or without dysphagia, hoarseness, and bronchospasm.13 A single unifying clinical definition of GERD is difficult, and instead requires a blend of definitions. A consensus document of The American College of Gastroenterology defines GERD as reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus resulting in symptoms and/or complication.13 GERD is objectively defined by the characteristic mucosal injury seen on reflux monitoring study (pH or impedance-pH) and/or abnormal esophageal acid exposure demonstrated on a reflux monitoring study.13 Importantly, the reflux disorders observed in WTC-exposed persons are heterogeneous, and sometimes cannot be objectively documented (e.g., when the disorder is consistent with hypersensitive esophagus syndrome or functional heartburn, or other disorders9) Note that the presence of GERD appears to adversely affect the quality of life. Among Japanese workers who received a routine checkup at a clinic in Osaka, Japan, patients with GERD were found to have a poorer quality of life compared to clinic patients who did not have GERD, functional dyspepsia nor irritable bowel syndrome.14