Abstract:

Esophageal inlet patches(IPs) is an orange-red mucosa located at the entrance of the esophagus, characterized by various shapes and sizes, and named for its distinctive appearance. It was previously thought to be an accidental finding in the esophageal entrance. However, with the advancement of endoscopic technology, the slower pace of withdrawing the endoscope, and the improvement of anesthesia cooperation, the rate of detection for these patches has been steadily increasing. The clinical significance and functional mechanisms of the esophageal inlet patches remain unclear. The author suggests that this is a widely occurring phenomenon, and due to its mucus-secreting function, it may facilitate food entering the esophagus smoothly. Based on this function, it could be more fitting to refer to it as the "esophageal inlet glands" .

Key words: Esophageal inlet patches, Esophageal inlet glands, Anatomic structure, Digestive function