Upper GI System Disorders: Dysphagia Overview

Upper GI System Disorders: Esophageal Disorders & Dysphagia

• Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.
• Esophageal disorders can be neurologic (e.g., stroke, infection, brain damage), muscular (e.g., muscular dystrophy), or mechanical (e.g., stenosis).
• Mechanical obstruction can result from congenital atresia, fibrosis, inflammation, ulceration, or tumors.
• Tumors can be internal or external.
• Results and presentations of dysphagia include: pain with swallowing, inability to swallow larger pieces of solid material or liquids, and a risk of aspiration.
• A complication of aspiration is aspiration pneumonia.
• Achalasia is a condition where the lower esophageal sphincter does not relax.
• The function of the digestive system involves breaking down the ingested food and fluid into smaller units.
• This process is controlled by enzymes.
• The system also absorbs necessary components which mostly occurs in the small intestine via membrane transport.
• The process of swallowing (deglutition) includes the soft palate being pulled upward, vocal cords being closed, epiglottis moving to cover the larynx, cessation of respiration, and the bolus being moved into the esophagus.
• The esophagus is closed except during swallowing. The upper part of the esophagus is composed of skeletal muscle and the lower part is composed of smooth muscle.
• The stomach is a reservoir for food and fluid, where constant mixing and churning of food occurs.
• The stomach produces pepsin and hydrochloric acid (HCl) for protein digestion, initiating the process with pepsin.
• It also creates intrinsic factor necessary for the absorption of vitamin B₁₂, found in the ileum.
• The stomach also involves the formation of chyme and absorption of small and lipid-soluble molecules.

Video Resources

• Alila Medical Media (2017, May 22) Physiology Basics: The Digestive System, Animation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSXgoYdHotw
• Ted ED (2017, Dec. 4) How your digestive system works? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og5xAdC8EUI
• Alila Medical Media (2016, Oct. 4) Dysphagia, Animation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoSMA2Anq3U

This quiz explores the various disorders affecting the upper gastrointestinal system, particularly focusing on esophageal disorders and dysphagia. It covers causes, symptoms, and complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Test your knowledge on the mechanisms behind these conditions and their impact on swallowing.