gastroesophageal reflux disease

[gas-troh-i-sof-uh-jee-uh l, ‐ee-suh-faj-ee-uh l, gas-]

noun Pathology.

a chronic condition in which acid from the stomach flows back into the lower esophagus, causing pain or tissue damage.

Also called gastric reflux, gastroesophageal reflux, acid reflux, GERD.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

gastroesophageal reflux disease in Science

gastroesophageal reflux disease

[găs′trō-ĭ-sŏf′ə-jē′əl]

A condition in which relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter allows gastric acids to move up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, dyspepsia, and possible injury to the mucous membranes lining the esophagus.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.