Q39: Congenital malformations of oesophagus
Q39.4: Congenital oesophageal web
The oesophagus or gullet connects the mouth with the stomach. It is a muscular tube. The muscles in the oesophagus move food into the stomach. If tissue fails to develop properly, defects can occur. The inside of the gullet is lined with mucous membrane. With this defect, the mucous membrane layer is duplicated in places. As a result, the inside of the esophagus has ring-shaped narrowings in places.
A narrowed esophagus can cause various problems. Food may then only get through the trachea into the stomach to a restricted degree. Swallowing might be accompanied by pain or a burning sensation behind the sternum. Food might also come back into the mouth from the esophagus.
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