Question

Explain why is heartburn covered in the chapter on the digestive system?

Answer 1

Heartburn is a condition in which the acidic contents of the stomach go back up into the oesophagus (acid reflux) which results in a burning sensation in the oesophagus.

The lower oesophageal sphincter normally remains closed and does not allow food contents of the stomach to move back up .In heartburn,the lower oesophageal sphincter does not function properly and it allows acids to back up into the oesophagus.

It can lead to inflammation and swelling of the oesophagus and increased risk of oseophageal adenocarcinoma (cancer of oesophagus).