Proposed approach to the challenging management of progressive gastroesophageal reflux disease

Figure 3 The histology of the squamo-oxyntic gap. A: The normal junction of the esophagus and stomach is the abutment of the proximal limit of the gastric oxyntic epithelium and the distal limit of the squamous epithelium; B: Squamo-oxyntic gap: Squamous epithelium is replaced by metaplastic cardiac mucosa resulting in loss of LES length, as shown by manometry. Images provided by Dr. Parakrama Chandrasoma. GEJ: Gastroesophageal junction; GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; LES: Lower esophageal sphincter; SCJ: Squamocolumnar junction.