The GE junction, or gastroesophageal junction, marks the transition point between the esophagus and the stomach.
Understanding the Gastroesophageal Junction
The gastroesophageal (GE) junction is a critical anatomical landmark. According to the provided reference, it:
- Forms the border: It clearly defines where the distal esophagus ends and the proximal stomach begins.
- Epithelial Transition: It's normally the area where the squamous epithelium (lining) of the esophagus changes to the columnar epithelium of the gastric cardia (the upper part of the stomach).
In simpler terms, imagine the esophagus as a tube carrying food down to the stomach. The GE junction is the spot where that tube connects to the stomach. The type of cells lining the tube also changes at this point.
