Question: What is Barrett's Esophagus?
Answer: Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the lining of the esophagus is replaced by tissue that is similar to that which is normally found in the stomach and intestine. The process of this change is called intestinal metaplasis. The normal esophagus, the muscular tube that extends from the throat to the stomach, is lined by a pinkish-white tissue called squamous epithelium. Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the normal lining, or epithelium, of the esophagus has been replaced by an abnormal epithelium. The Barrett's lining always begins at the bottom of the esophagus where the esophagus joins the stomach and extends upward toward the mouth for varying lengths.
