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. 1968 Nov;23(6):634–639. doi: 10.1136/thx.23.6.634

Intrinsic mechanisms controlling the mammalian gastro-oesophageal sphincter deprived of extrinsic nerve supply

Charles V Mann 1,2,3, Charles F Code 1,2,3, Jerry F Schlegel 1,2,3, F Henry Ellis Jr 1,2,3
PMCID: PMC471875  PMID: 5711772

Abstract

The oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction of 13 guinea-pigs and 14 3-week-old kittens were removed and placed in oxygenated Tyrode's solution at 36 to 37° C. Sphincteric pressures were recorded before and after oesophageal distension. In these preparations changes in the tone of the gastro-oesophageal sphincter were observed in response to lower oesophageal distension. The sphincter of the guinea-pig responded by relaxation, whereas the sphincter of the kitten responded more often by contraction. The relaxation/contraction responses of the sphincter to oesophageal distension were independent of any extrinsic nerve supply and could be abolished by removal of a circular cuff of oesophageal muscle between the source of the stimulus and the gastro-oesophageal sphincter. The intramural mechanisms affecting gastro-oesophageal sphincteric tone probably are present in all mammals, including man.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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