The esophagus is a hollow muscular organ that extends from the hypopharynx to the stomach through the posterior mediastinum. Its function is to transport food and fluid from the mouth to the stomach.
The main functional disorders of the esophagus are dysmotility and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which gastric contents flow back into the esophagus. Reflux disorders manifest mainly with pain, while an impaired ability to swallow, or dysphagia, is the other major problem.
Esophageal Motility explains how the esophagus moves food. Symptoms of Esophageal Disorders explains the symptoms these disorders produce, Diagnostic Tools for Esophageal Disorders explains the investigations used to reach a diagnosis, and Treatment of Esophageal Disorders explains how reflux disease and motility disorders are managed.