Barrett esophagus/Definition

From Citizendium
< Barrett esophagus
Revision as of 09:47, 30 April 2014 by imported>Robert Badgett (moved Barrett's esophagitis/Definition to Barrett esophagus/Definition: better name per NLM)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This article is a stub and thus not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
 
A definition or brief description of Barrett esophagus.

A condition with damage to the lining of the lower esophagus resulting from chronic acid reflux (esophagitis, reflux). Through the process of metaplasia, the squamous cells are replaced by a columnar epithelium with cells resembling those of the intestine or the salmon-pink mucosa of the stomach. Barrett's columnar epithelium is a marker for severe reflux and precursor to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.(National Library of Medicine)