Cardia
The cardia - actually cardia ventriculi or pars cardiaca , also called cardia - is that area of the stomach where the two-layer esophageal muscles merge into the three-layer stomach muscles. It is also known as the stomach entrance or stomach mouth and represents the entrance area of the stomach. With the opening of the cardia or its closure after the bite (bolus) has passed through, the act of swallowing is ended. A brief opening of the cardia, on the other hand, enables burping and vomiting .
In contrast to the muscular basis of the cardia as a functional unit, the transition from the squamous epithelium of the esophagus to the columnar epithelium of the stomach no constant boundary. Thus, the area with the so-called Kardiadrüsen (a subset of the gastric glands) in many mammals without relation to the entrance to the stomach.
etymology
Cardia ( Latinized ) as well as Kardia ( ancient Greek ) mean in medicine (because of their anatomical proximity) both the heart and the stomach entrance ( upper stomach mouth ). The gastric outlet ( lower gastric mouth ) is the gastric gate or pylorus ( ostium ventriculi duodenale or os ventriculi inferius ). The pylorus was originally the watchman and only later the gatekeeper and then the doorkeeper .
tone
External and internal influences can increase or decrease the tension (tone) of the cardia:
- An increased pH value of the stomach contents (less stomach acid ), an increased proportion of protein in the meal and the gastrointestinal peptide hormones gastrin , motilin and substance P increase tone
- High-fat meals, peppermint oil, the luxury foods chocolate and coffee as well as alcohol and nicotine have a tonus-reducing effect .
If you are overweight , a state of tension in the sphincter muscle that is sufficient in and of itself can lead to its "bursting" due to the increased pressure in the abdominal cavity , especially when you are lying down.
Malfunctions
An inadequate occlusive function ( cardiac insufficiency ) allows the chyme to flow back out of the stomach or (more often) the passage of gastric acid into the esophagus ( gastroesophageal reflux ). Possible consequences are reflux disease , which can lead to reflux esophagitis in around ten percent of those affected . In the case of a defect healing , this in turn results in Barrett's syndrome .
If the lower esophageal sphincter cannot be opened sufficiently, it is called achalasia .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Ludwig August Kraus: Kritisch-etymologisches medicinisches Lexikon , 3rd edition, Verlag der Deuerlich- und Dieterichschen Buchhandlung, Göttingen 1844, p. 191.
- ↑ Ludwig August Kraus: Kritisch-etymologisches medicinisches Lexikon , 3rd edition, Verlag der Deuerlich- und Dieterichschen Buchhandlung, Göttingen 1844, p. 871.