[Study of intestinal motility. Contribution of electromyography]

The longitudinal and circular deformations of the intestinal wall have been studied simultaneously with the intestinal electrical activity. Tracings were obtained for several weeks by means of a compact device which was implanted on the jejunum in 6 dogs and 4 rabbits. The results showed that the transverse movements of the intestine corresponded to the muscular activity of the circular layer. The longitudinal movements were observed permanently in the rabbit. In the dog they could correspond to a contraction or a relaxation movement. In the two cases, no electrical activity was related to the longitudinal mechanical activity of the intestine.