Figure 16 - Inhibition of progressing primary esophageal peristalsis.

Examples of inhibition of progressing primary esophageal peristalsis in the proximal striated (A,B) and distal (C) smooth muscle esophagus by pharyngeal water stimulation. A: Rapid injection of 0.7 mL of room-temperature water into the pharynx immediately after UES relaxation and arrival of peristaltic wave at the site 18 cm above lower esophageal sphincter (LES) inhibited the progression of peristalsis to the sites below. B: Similar injection when the peristaltic wave had reached the site 15 cm above the LES inhibited its progression to the more distal sites. C: Rapid pulse injection of 0.7 ml of room-temperature water into the pharynx when the peristaltic wave was 9 cm above the LES resulted in its inhibition in the smooth muscle portion in the distal 6 cm of the esophagus. Note that these inhibitions were not followed by another peristaltic pressure wave. Each inhibition trial is preceded and followed by a normal peristaltic pressure wave induced by a dry swallow. SW, swallow. (Source: Trifan et al.¹⁰⁴ with permission from American Gatroenterological Association)