title: Associations and interactions between the esophagus and the lower respiratory tract.
abstract: There are important interactions between the esophagus and the lower respiratory tract (LRT). These occur because of their physical proximity and the functional activities. Malfunctions or lack of coordination between these organs leads to serious human illness such as asthma, aspiration pneumonia, and gastroesophageal reflux.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Texas Tech RAHSC, El Paso, USA.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Mansfield
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*