THE CHARACTERISTICS AND SIMILARITY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PERISTALSIS IN THE ESOPHAGUS*

Abstract

The pressure effects of distending a balloon fixed in the mid-esophagus were studied. Momentary distention produced a wave identical to primary peristalsis initiated by a dry swallow. Varying the method of inflation resulted in motor phenomena similar to those produced by rapidly or slowly repeated swallows. Since there was no moving bolus, these secondary peristaltic waves could not be due to local stimulation of short reflex arcs. No central mechanism was demonstrated. Primary and secondary peristalsis are similar in their manometric manifestations and independence of an esophageal bolus. Any difference between the 2 forms as far as propagation of the esophageal wave is concerned and the influence of a swallowing center on the esophageal phase of the primary peristalsis is questionable.