A Direct Manometric Study of the Canine Choledochoduodenal Junction

Abstract

A technique has been developed for repeated, direct, manometric study of the canine choledochoduodenal junction in conscious animals. The junction is characterized by a zone of elevated pressure interposed between the duodenum and common bile duct whose motor activity distinguishes it from these adjacent structures. Atropine sulfate administration resulted in a decrease in pressure in the junctional zone suggesting that a cholinergic mechanism is partly responsible for the maintenance of resting pressure in the canine choledochoduodenal junction.