Perforation of the oesophagus is one of the true emergencies of general surgery.

Oesophageal cancer is a serious disease, and this page does not pretend otherwise.

Benign tumours of the oesophagus are uncommon and are found far more often than they cause trouble.

An oesophageal diverticulum is an outpouching of the oesophageal wall. It is uncommon.

Barrett's oesophagus is a change in the lining of the lower oesophagus caused by long-standing reflux.

Achalasia is a disorder in which the oesophagus loses its ability to propel food downward and the valve at its lower end fails to relax.

A paraoesophageal hernia is a hiatus hernia in which part of the stomach herniates into the chest alongside the oesophagus, rather than the junction…

Reflux is the backward flow of stomach contents into the oesophagus.