Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sphincter mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract

  • Symposium On Gastrointestinal Motility Leuven, Belgium April 22, 1966
  • Published:
The American Journal of Digestive Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Conclusions

Both exits from the abdomen for gut contents are associated with smooth-muscle sphincter-like segments of the gut tube in the sense that they are in a state of tonic contraction most of the time. Both these sphincters and their connections with the nervous system are interesting physiological phenomena, but their function appears to be secondary to a simple mechanical process which is responsible for closure of the tube and its controlled opening. Indeed, the body appears to be able to function satisfactorily without the sphincters, and their presence requires complex means of overcoming their unwanted activities. The detailed investigation of these sphincters has perhaps taken them out of their right perspective, and other factors, only determinable in the intact human, have been lost sight of.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fyke, F. E., Code, C. F., andSchlecel, J. F. The gastro-oesophagcal sphincter in healthy human being.Gastroenterologia (Basel)86:135, 1956.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Botha, G. S. M., Astlev, R., andCarre, I. J. A combined cineradiographic and mano-metric study of the gastro-oesophageal function.Lancet 1:659, 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Atkinson, M., Edwards, D. A. W., Honour, A. J., andRowlands, E. N. Comparison of cardiac and pyloric sphincters.Lancet 2:918, 1957.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Edwards, D. A. W., andRowlands, E. N. Physiological observations in achalasia and their significance in methods of treatment.Gastroenterologia (Basel)92: 114, 1959.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Schlecel, J. F., andCode, C. F. Pressure characteristics of the oesophagus and its sprincters in dogs.Amer J Physiol 193:9, 1958.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Winship, D. H., Poindexter, R. E., Thayer, W. R., andSpiro, H. M. Oesophageal motility in the monkey.Gastroenterology 48:231, 1965.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Clark, C. G., andVane, J. R. The cardiac sphincter in the cat.Gut 2:252, 1961.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Botha, G. S. M. Oesophageal pressure and motility in animals: a cine-radiographic and manometric study.S Afr Med J 33:915, 1959.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Vantrappen, G., Texter, E. C., Jr., Barborka, C. J., andVandenrroucke, J. The closing mechanism at the gastro-oesophageal junction.Amer J Med 28:564, 1960.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Windsor, C. W. O. Gastro-oesophageal reflux after partial gastrectomy.Brit Med J 2: 1233, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Griffiths, C. A., andHarkins, H. N. Selected gastric vagotomy: physiologic basis and technique.Surg Clin N Amer 42:1431, 1962.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Schlicke, C. P. Complications of vagotomy.Amer J Surg 106:206, 1963.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Clarke, S. D., Penry, J. B., andWard, P. Oesophageal reflux after vagotomy.Lancet 2:824, 1965.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Edwards, D. A. W. The mechanism at the cardia.II. The anti-reflux mechanism. Brit J Radiol 34:474, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Creamer, B., Andersen, H. A., andCode, C. F. Oesophageal motility in patients with scleroderma and related diseases.Gastroenterologia (Basel)86:763, 1956.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Vantrappen, G., Van Goidsenhoven, G. E., Verbeke, S., van den Berghe, G., andVandenbroucke, J. Manometric studies in achalasia of the cardia, before and after pneumatic dilations.Gastroenterology 45:317, 1963.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ellis, F. H., Olsen, A. M., Holman, C. B., andCode, C. F. Surgical treatment of cardiospasm.JAMA 166:29, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Atkinson, M. The oesophago-gastric sphincter after cardiomyotomy.Thorax 14:125, 1959.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Creamer, B., Harrison, G. K., andPierce, J. W. Further observations on the gastro-oesophageal junction.Thorax 14:132, 1959.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. McNally, E. F., Kelly, J. E., andIngelfinger, F. J. Mechanism of belching: effects of gastric distension with air.Gastroenterology 46:254, 1964.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Phillips, S. F., andEdwards, D. A. W. Some aspects of anal continence and defaecation.Gut 6:396, 1965.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Gaston, E. A. The physiology of fecal continence.Surg Gynec Obstet 57:280, 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Duthie, H. L., andBennett, R. C. The relation of sensation in the anal canal to the functional anal sphincter.Gut 4:179, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hill, J. R., Kelley, M. L., Schlegel, J. F., andCode, C. F. Pressure profile of the rectum and anus of healthy persons.Dis Colon Rectum 3:203, 1960.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Duthie, H. L., andWatts, J. M. Contribution of the external anal sphincter to the pressure zone in the anal canal.Gut 6:64, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Bennett, R. C, andDuthie, H. L. The functional importance of the internal anal sphincter.Brit J Surg 51: 355, 1964.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Porter, N. H. Physiological study of the pelvic floor in rectal prolapse.Ann Roy Coll Surg Eng 31:379, 1962.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Duthie, H. L., andBennett, R. C. The relation of sensation in the anal canal to the functional anal sphincter.Gut 4:179, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Porter, N. H. Megacolon, a physiological study.Proc Roy Soc Med 54:1043, 1961.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Medical Research Council, Department of Clinical Research, University College Hospital Medical School, England

    D. A. W. Edwards M.D., M.A.

  2. Gastroenterology Research Unit, Central Middlesex Hospital, London, England

    D. A. W. Edwards M.D., M.A.

Authors
  1. D. A. W. Edwards M.D., M.A.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Edwards, D.A.W. Sphincter mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Digest Dis Sci 12, 267–276 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02233644

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02233644

Keywords

Search

Navigation