Esophageal inlet patch or heterotopic gastric mucosa of the upper esophagus or gastric inlet patch is one or more areas of tissue resembling stomach tissue which is found in the upper portion of the esophagus.
Esophageal inlet patches are well defined areas of mucosa which resemble stomach tissue and are pink or salmon colored.
[1] Often esophageal inlet patches causes no symptoms and are identified incidentally during upper endoscopy.
[3] Esophageal inlet patches are diagnosed by upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD).
[3] Although reports are conflicting, some studies have found an association between esophageal inlet patches and Barrett's esophagus.