Title: Dysphagia and other manifestations of oesophageal involvement in the musculoskeletal diseases | Rheumatology | Oxford Academic
Headings: Dysphagia and other manifestations of oesophageal involvement in the musculoskeletal diseases
Dysphagia and other manifestations of oesophageal involvement in the musculoskeletal diseases
Published:
Abstract
Introduction
Involvement of the oesophagus in musculoskeletal diseases
Investigation of oesophageal dysfunction
Autoimmune diseases
Scleroderma
Eosinophilic fasciitis
Sjögren's syndrome
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Mixed connective tissue disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Vasculitis
Behçet's disease
Other systemic vasculitides
Inherited disorders of connective tissue
Other systemic rheumatic diseases
Sarcoidosis
Amyloidosis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Disorders of the cervical spine
Complications of anti-rheumatic therapy
Treatment
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
Email alerts
Citing articles via

Content: Dysphagia, Oesophageal function, Connective tissue diseases, Cervical spine, Treatment
Topic: deglutition disorders
connective tissue diseases
esophageal diseases
esophageal dysphagia
autoimmunity
musculoskeletal diseases
esophagus
Issue Section: Reviews
Introduction
Oesophageal dysfunction can occur in a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Symptoms include dysphagia, odynophagia and heartburn. The oesophagus connects the pharynx opposite the sixth cervical vertebra to the cardia, slightly to the left of the eleventh thoracic vertebra. It is fixed above by the cricoid cartilage and below by the diaphragm, the upper end being closed by the pharyngo–oesophageal sphincter and the lower end by the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS). The muscular coat has outer longitudinal and inner circular layers with Auerbach's plexus in between. Both muscle layers are striated in the upper portion of the oesophagus. At the initiation of swallowing, food is moved voluntarily from the mouth to the pharynx, triggering a primary peristaltic wave in the pharynx and causing the upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) to relax, allowing the food to enter the oesophagus. Direct stimulation of the oesophagus incites secondary peristalsis which propels the contents forwards to the stomach, usually assisted by gravity.