tailieunhanh - Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery

The oesophagus is a muscular tube connecting the pharynx to the stomach and measuring 25–30 cm in the adult. Its primary function is as a conduit for the passage of swallowed food and fluid, which it propels by antegrade peristaltic contraction. It also serves to prevent the reflux of gastric contents whilst allowing regurgitation, vomiting and belching to take place. It is aided in these functions by the upper and lower oesophageal sphincters sited at its proximal and distal ends. Any impairment of oesophageal function can lead to the debilitating symptoms of dysphagia, gastro-oesophageal reflux or oesophageal pain | John . Fielding Michael T. Hallissey Editors Upper Gastrointestinal John Lumley Series Editor Springer Springer Specialist Surgery Series Other titles in this series include Transplantation Surgery edited by Hakim Danovitch 2001 Neurosurgery Principles and Practice edited by Moore Newell .