The esophageal sphincters are bands of muscles at the top and bottom of the esophagus — the muscular tube that passes food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal sphincters open and close ...

The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) closure muscles include the cervical esophagus, cricopharyngeus, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor, but primarily the cricopharyngeus. The main functions of UES ...

Disorders like esophageal cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease are difficult to treat without properly understanding the esophagus’s mechanical properties. The findings establish a baseline for ...

Presbyphagia refers to age-related changes in the oropharyngeal and esophageal swallowing of healthy adults. Sarcopenia is age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, organization, and strength. Good ...

Panel A shows the microscopic myoarchitecture of the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the lower esophageal sphincter and stomach. The circular muscle fibers of the esophagus cross each other ...

The cardia is the entrance to the stomach at the bottom of the esophagus. Food and liquids initially pass through the cardia before entering the stomach. The cardia is one of four main parts of the ...