Motility of the Human Digestive Tract under Resting Conditions and After Ingestion of Food

Abstract

The motility of the digestive tract in healthy persons was studied by means of pressure-sensitive endoradiosondes, under resting conditions during the night and after ingestion of food. In the stomach, slow pressure waves were observed with a frequency of 3–5 contractions per min and pressures of up to 10 cm H₂O, as well as activity in the form of relatively rapid pressure increases of up to about 25 cm H₂O—so-called type II waves. These waves were observed especially in the antrum. After ingestion of food increased activity was recorded in the form of a higher frequency of type II waves. In the small intestine waves of both type I and type II were recorded. Immediately following ingestion of food the intensity of both type I and type II waves increased. In the colon, waves of types I, III and IV were recorded. After ingestion of food the intensity of the type III and IV waves was increased. Activity during the night was considerably reduced in relation to that during the daytime. However, activity was recorded in all subjects; this was usually of type I, though bursts of type III waves were also recorded.