Esophagitis
Esophagitis, also spelled oesophagitis, is a disease characterized by inflammation of the esophagus. The esophagus is a tube composed of a mucosal lining, and longitudinal and circular smooth muscle fibers. It connects the pharynx to the stomach; swallowed food and liquids normally pass through it.
| Esophagitis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Oesophagitis |
| An esophageal ulcer visualized by esophagoscopy: the reddened area at 10 o'clock on the surface of the mucosa. | |
| Specialty | Gastroenterology |
| Complications | Cancer |
Esophagitis can be asymptomatic; or can cause epigastric and/or substernal burning pain, especially when lying down or straining; and can make swallowing difficult (dysphagia). The most common cause of esophagitis is the reverse flow of acid from the stomach into the lower esophagus: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
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