Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Achalasia - series: Normal anatomy

 Normal anatomy

Achalasia - series
Illustrations:

  • Normal anatomy
  • Indications
  • Procedure, part 1
  • Incision
  • Procedure, part 2

    • The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscular ring at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter relaxes when food from the esophagus enters the stomach.

    Update Date: 2/20/2008

    Updated by: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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