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What prevents contents within the stomach from refluxing back up the esophagus?
A band of muscle at the lower part of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), acts as a barrier to prevent the back-flow (reflux) of stomach contents into the esophagus.
What causes stomach acid to back up into the esophagus?
Acid reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to back up into your esophagus. This can cause heartburn and other signs and symptoms. Frequent or constant reflux can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What prevents food from going down the esophagus?
A flap of tissue called the epiglottis sits over the top of the trachea. This flap blocks food and drink from going down into the trachea when you swallow.
How does the lower esophagus prevent food from moving back up?
A ring of muscle fibers in the lower esophagus prevents swallowed food from moving back up. These muscle fibers are called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When this ring of muscle does not close all the way, stomach contents can leak back into the esophagus. This is called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux. Reflux may cause symptoms.
Where does the food go after it passes through the throat?
When you eat, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus. A ring of muscle fibers in the lower esophagus prevents swallowed food from moving back up. These muscle fibers are called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When this ring of muscle does not close all the way, stomach contents can leak back into the esophagus.
What causes regurgitation of food into the esophagus?
Overweight or pregnant Being overweight or pregnant can cause regurgitation. Normally, the sphincter (a ring of muscle) prevents stomach contents from going backwards into the esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth with your stomach).
What does it mean to have lower esophageal reflux disease?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease. A ring of muscle fibers in the lower esophagus prevents swallowed food from moving back up. These muscle fibers are called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When this ring of muscle does not close all the way, stomach contents can leak back into the esophagus. This is called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux.
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