PATHOLOGICAL PHARYNGOESOPHAGEAL INTERACTIONS

Because of their normally coordinated function and physical contiguity , the pharynx and esophagus are subject to pathologic interactions in various disease or iatrogenic states. A useful conceptualization of th ese pathologic interactions is that of abnormal bolus transport. Speci fic clinical examples are given in which abnormal pharyngo-esophageal interactions appear to result in abnormal bolus transport, with its at tendant consequences.