Esophageal responses to transient and sustained esophageal distension

GOYAL. Esophageal responses to transient and sustained esoph-ageaL distension. Am. J. Physiol. 255 (Gastrointest. Liver Phys-iol. 18): G587-G595, 1988.-With the use of intraluminal ma-nometry in cu-chloralose-anesthetized opossums, distal esoph-ageal and lower esophageal sphincter responses to prolonged midesophageal balloon distension were compared with those evoked by single transient distensions, vagal efferent stimula-tion, and swallowing. Balloon inflation caused sphincteric re-laxation that recovered during small volume but persisted dur-ing large volume-prolonged distension. The esophageal body was either quiescent or exhibited nonperistaltic contractions during prolonged distension. Balloon deflation induced non-peristaltic esophageal and sphincteric contractions as well as further sphincter relaxation. Responses to prolonged large and small volume balloon distension resembled those evoked b