When a person is experiencing heartburn, he or she feels a burning sensation in the throat and midchest. Think about the structures of the digestive system. What most likely causes the burning sensation?
Answer
A
The muscle at the end of the esophagus is not able to close, which allows stomach acid and digested food to go back up into the esophagus.
B
The villi in the small intestine are producing extra acid that is then concentrated at the pharynx.
C
The esophagus goes into muscle spasms while the salivary glands produce excess acid.
D
Too much water absorption in the large intestine disrupts the pH of the digestive system, causing acid to reenter the stomach.