ABSTRACT
On a simple level, the oesophagus is a tube whose function is to transport food from the mouth through the chest and diaphragm into the stomach. Dysphagia strongly suggests an oesophageal problem and can be due to mechanical or motility disorders. Postural regurgitation that is increased by a supine posture or that is worse after large meals, bending or straining suggests reflux disease. Ultrasound is mainly used non-invasively with the ultrasound probe applied to the outside of the body after applying acoustic water-based gel. Reflux oesophagitis is caused by the abnormal retrograde movement of gastric contents into the oesophagus. Achalasia is the absence of peristaltic contractions within the oesophageal body and incomplete relaxation of the high-pressure zone (HPZ) of the lower oesophageal sphincter. Chagas disease is a result of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, which infects the myenteric plexus of the oesophagus.
