Which conditions commonly cause regurgitation of undigested food?

• A. Zenker's diverticulum and achalasia
• B. GERD and gastritis
• C. Mallory-Weiss tear
• D. Peptic ulcers and gastritis

Answer: (A)

Regurgitation of undigested food signals a problem with how food moves through the esophagus or is stored before reaching the stomach. Zenker's diverticulum creates a pouch just above the upper esophageal sphincter where swallowed material can pool and later come back up as undigested food. Achalasia involves a loss of coordinated esophageal movement and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, so food accumulates in the esophagus and can be regurgitated without having been digested or passed into the stomach.

In contrast, conditions like GERD and gastritis mainly involve irritation and reflux of stomach contents rather than retention of undigested material in the esophagus. Mallory-Weiss tear is a mucosal tear typically following severe vomiting and presents with bleeding rather than regurgitation of undigested food. Peptic ulcers and gastritis cause epigastric pain and possible vomiting, but they do not characteristically produce regurgitation of undigested food.