Synonyms
EGJ; Esophagogastric junction; GEJ; Oesophagogastric junction; OGJ
Definition
The gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) is the point where the esophageal mucosa interfaces with the gastric mucosa. It has been defined anatomically, physiologically, radiologically, endoscopically, and histologically. Nevertheless, to date, there is no universally accepted definition of the GEJ, even though one is needed in order to diagnose Barrett esophagus appropriately. Physiologically, the GEJ corresponds to the lower esophageal sphincter (area of high pressure). In a healthy individual, it ideally will correspond to the endoscopic GEJ and the microscopic squamocolumnar junction (SCJ).
Macroscopy
Anatomically, in resection specimens and autopsy studies, the GEJ is defined as the line between the angles of the opened esophagus and the greater curvature of the stomach. Endoscopically, in most Western countries, the GEJ is defined as “the upper limit of the gastric longitudinal mucosal folds.” In...
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Bombeck, C. T., Dillard, D. H., & Nyhus, L. M. (1966). Muscular anatomy of the gastroesophageal junction and role of phrenoesophageal ligament; autopsy study of sphincter mechanism. Annals of Surgery, 164(4), 643–654.
Odze, R. D. (2005). Pathology of the gastroesophageal junction. Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology, 22(4), 256–265.
Sharma, P., Dent, J., Armstrong, D., Bergman, J. J., Gossner, L., Hoshihara, Y., et al. (2006). The development and validation of an endoscopic grading system for barrett’s esophagus: The prague C & M criteria. Gastroenterology, 131(5), 1392–1399.
Srivastava, A., Odze, R. D., Lauwers, G. Y., Redston, M., Antonioli, D. A., & Glickman, J. N. (2007). Morphologic features are useful in distinguishing barrett esophagus from carditis with intestinal metaplasia. The American Journal of Surgical Pathology, 31(11), 1733–1741.
Takubo, K., Arai, T., Sawabe, M., Miyashita, M., Sasajima, K., Iwakiri, K., et al. (2003). Structures of the normal esophagus and Barrett’s esophagus. Esophagus, 1, 37–47.
Takubo, K., Aida, J., Sawabe, M., Arai, T., Kato, H., Pech, O., et al. (2008). The normal anatomy around the oesophagogastric junction: A histopathologic view and its correlation with endoscopy. Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology, 22(4), 569–583.
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Setia, N., Lauwers, G.Y. (2017). Gastroesophageal Junction. In: Carneiro, F., Chaves, P., Ensari, A. (eds) Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Encyclopedia of Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40560-5_1616
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40560-5_1616
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