INTRALUMEN PRESSURES OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT, ESPECIALLY THE PYLORIC REGION

Abstract

The objections to the balloon-water manometer technic for recording the intralumen pressures of the gut are considered and a new technic employing optical manometers is presented. Studies made with this method show that basal pressure in the pyloric antrum usually exceeds the basal pressure in the duodenal bulb and that both rise moderately when food enters the stomach. Subatmospheric pressures are common in both regions. Periodically, pressure increases amounting to about 30 cm. of water occur in both regions. They are produced respectively by contractions of the antrum and bulb.