Oesophagus
The bleed is upper if it arises above the ligament of Treitz (oesophagus, stomach, duodenum).
What our notes say
- The bleed is upper if it arises above the ligament of Treitz (oesophagus, stomach, duodenum). (Upper gastrointestinal bleeding)
- • In side view it forms the upper part of the posterior heart boarder and it is adjacent to the oesophagus. (Cardiovascular system examination revised 2012 — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- This is a two-dimensional picture and so a central opacity may not be something that was swallowed and is now impacted in the oesophagus. (Examination of Respiratory system — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Metaplasia is reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another; columnar metaplasia in Barrett oesophagus increases the risk of adenocarcinoma (Aponeurosis — Histology Question Bank)
- Pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, dysphagia (oesophagus). (Lung Cancer)
- The pretracheal (visceral) fascia encloses the thyroid and parathyroid glands, trachea, oesophagus, larynx and pharynx. (Integrated case paper: Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology and Paediatrics (160 marks)
Study material on Oesophagus
- GASTROINTESTINAL PATHOLOGY (Part 1)
- Gastropathology Pathology
- Gastrointestinal Neoplasms: High-Yield Exam Review
- Master First-Year Anatomy: Must-Know Essays & Key Concepts
- GASTROINTESTINAL PATHOLOGY (Part 3)
- Tumours of the Gastrointestinal Tract
- Medical MCQs: Chemical Pathology & Haematology Exam Review
- Gastropathology Pathology
- Gastropathology Pathology
- Gastrointestinal Neoplasms: High-Yield Exam Review
Images
Practice questions on Oesophagus
A 28-year-old atopic male with allergic rhinitis and asthma presents with food impaction and dysphagia. Symptoms fail to improve on high-dose PPI. Endoscopic biopsies from the mid-oesophagus show dense eosinophilic infiltration superficially. What is the diagnosis?
- Eosinophilic oesophagitis — atopic background
- Gastroenteritis with eosinophilic gastritis
- Achalasia — failure of LES relaxation
- GERD with peptic stricture
Answer: A. Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a chronic immune response characterised by eosinophilic infiltration of the oesophageal mucosa, often associated with atopy. It typically presents with dysphagia and food impaction and does not respond well to PPIs. ---