Esophageal Submucosal Glands: Structure and Function

Long, John D.; Orlando, Roy C.

doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.1422_b.x

Cited by 103 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The main mechanisms by which the esophageal epithelium copes with this is high turnover of epithelial cells. Esophageal submucosal glands (44) are present in human but not in mice and may play an important protective role in humans.…”

Section: Human Vs Murine Esophagusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Esophageal development and epithelial homeostasis

Rosekrans

Baan

Muncan

et al. 2015

American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physi

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Rosekrans SL, Baan B, Muncan V, van den Brink GR. Esophageal development and epithelial homeostasis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 309: G216 -G228, 2015. First published July 2, 2015; doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00088.2015.-The esophagus is a relatively simple organ that evolved to transport food and liquids through the thoracic cavity. It is the only part of the gastrointestinal tract that lacks any metabolic, digestive, or absorptive function. The mucosa of the adult esophagus is covered by a multilayered squamous epithelium with a remarkable similarity to the epithelium of the skin despite the fact that these tissues originate from two different germ layers. Here we review the developmental pathways involved in the establishment of the esophagus and the way these pathways regulate gut-airway separation. We summarize current knowledge of the mechanisms that maintain homeostasis in esophageal epithelial renewal in the adult and the molecular mechanism of the development of Barrett's metaplasia, the precursor lesion to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Finally, we examine the ongoing debate on the hierarchy of esophageal epithelial precursor cells and on the presence or absence of a specific esophageal stem cell population. Together the recent insights into esophageal development and homeostasis suggest that the pathways that establish the esophagus during development also play a role in the maintenance of the adult epithelium. We are beginning to understand how reflux of gastric content and the resulting chronic inflammation can transform the squamous esophageal epithelium to columnar intestinal type metaplasia in Barrett's esophagus. esophagus; development; homeostasis; stem cell; endoderm THE WORD ESOPHAGUS IS DERIVED from the Greek words ε (oisein, to carry) and ␣␥ε (phagein, to eat). This description fits well with the functional role of the esophagus that mainly serves to "carry food" into the stomach. From the pharyngoesophageal junction, the esophagus passes through the mediastinum and diaphragm and connects to the cardia of the stomach at the gastroesophageal junction or Z-line. The pharyngoesophageal and gastroesophageal junctions anatomically overlap with the upper and lower esophageal sphincters. Both sphincters are closed except during swallowing to assure a unidirectional flow of esophageal content toward the stomach and to prevent reflux of gastric content into the esophagus. The relatively simple histology of the esophageal epithelium corresponds with the fact that the esophagus has no role other than to pass food through the thorax to the stomach. It does not play a known digestive, endocrine, or metabolic role and the epithelium consists of a simple stratified squamous epithelium, which provides a good protective layer against the unmodified food stream on its way to the stomach. Despite the perhaps somewhat prosaic functional role of the esophagus compared with other organs in the body, we feel that it is essential to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate normal esophageal homeo...

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Section: Human Vs Murine Esophagusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Esophageal development and epithelial homeostasis

Rosekrans

Baan

Muncan

et al. 2015

American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physi

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“…Recently [17], intercellular space dilatation (ISD) of more than 2.4 Ìm between esophageal squamous mucosal cells in at least one site [16] has been reported to be present in endoscopy negative GERD patients. Quite extensive experimental studies have elucidated the potential mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ISD [15,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radial Distribution of Dilated Intercellular Spaces of the Esophageal Squamous Epithelium in Patients with Reflux Disease Exhibiting Discrete Endoscopic Lesions

Fiocca

Haringsma

Delarive

et al. 2004

Dig Dis

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Introduction: Dilatation of intercellular spaces of the esophageal squamous epithelium has been suggested as a marker of early acid reflux-induced damage. This change is a potentially useful addition to histomorphological changes that represent so called minimal endoscopic lesions. We have assessed dilatation of intercellular spaces with regard to: (1) interobserver variability, and (2) whether the incidence of this varies between ‘red streaks’ and the adjacent normal looking squamous epithelium. Methods: Esophageal biopsies from 44 patients with chronic gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) were evaluated. At endoscopy, these patients had one or more red streaks on the tops of the mucosal folds in the distal esophagus. Biopsies were taken from the red streaks and from the normal-appearing mucosa 1 cm lateral to the red streaks. Biopsies were assessed in a blinded fashion by two independent pathologists (MV & RF). Criteria for assessing intercellular space dilatation were evaluated and agreed on prior to the study. Results: Good interobserver agreement was recorded (kappa = 0.82 at the streaks and 0.77 for the control tissues) for absence/presence of intercellular space dilatation. Red streak and control biopsies differed significantly (p = 0.0001), with respect to presence of dilated intercellular spaces, with 90.5 % of the former demonstrating this as present compared to 56.1% in the controls. Conclusion: This study supports the concept that esophageal mucosal minimal changes due to reflux is localised and that dilatation of intercellular spaces is an early sign of reflux-induced epithelial damage. The low interobserver variability in the assessment of intercellular space dilatation suggests that this may be a useful variable for assessment of early signs of acid-reflux induced damage to the squamous epithelium of the esophagus by use of light microscopy.

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“…In contrast, in the chicken and quail esophagi, whole length consists of smooth muscle fibers alone, as like other gastrointestinal tracts. In addition to the composition of the tunica muscularis, there are considerable class differences in the existence of esophageal glands in the tela submucosa (mammals) or lamina propria mucosae (birds) [7,9,10]. The glands are pronounced in humans, dogs and chickens, but are poorly developed in cats, rats and rabbits.…”

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confidence: 99%

A Comparative Histological Study on the Distribution of Striated and Smooth Muscles and Glands in the Esophagus of Wild Birds and Mammals

Shiina

Shimizu

Izumi

et al. 2005

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

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ABSTRACT. Musculature and glands of the esophagus in various wild birds and mammals were examined histologically. Cervical and thoracic esophagi of all birds used (mallard, spot-billed duck, Ural owl and Hodgson's hawk-eagle) were comprised of smooth muscle fibers only. In contrast, esophagi of the nutria, Japanese raccoon dog, common raccoon and Japanese marten consisted largely of striated muscle fibers. In the masked palm civet, Japanese macaque and bottlenose dolphin, esophageal muscle layers consisted of both striated and smooth muscle fibers. Esophageal glands were observed except for the nutria and masked palm civet. These results show a wide variety of the structural composition in the esophagus of wild animals, particularly mammals, examined in this study. KEY WORDS: esophageal gland, esophageal muscle layer, wild animals.

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Esophageal Submucosal Glands: Structure and Function

Cited by 103 publications

References 21 publications

Esophageal development and epithelial homeostasis

Esophageal development and epithelial homeostasis

Radial Distribution of Dilated Intercellular Spaces of the Esophageal Squamous Epithelium in Patients with Reflux Disease Exhibiting Discrete Endoscopic Lesions

A Comparative Histological Study on the Distribution of Striated and Smooth Muscles and Glands in the Esophagus of Wild Birds and Mammals

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