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Glossary

Lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

The muscular valve between the oesophagus and stomach; when it loosens, acid refluxes up.

The lower esophageal sphincter is the ring of muscle where the oesophagus meets the stomach. It should stay closed to keep acid down; when it relaxes at the wrong time — worsened by large meals, some foods, and lying down after eating — stomach acid refluxes up, the mechanism behind GERD.

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