Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation
Published on: September 22, 2023
Gastric longitudinal shortening may occur during gastric phase III activities in man
Kyoko Ino1, Motoyasu Kusano, Tsuneo Ohwada
1Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan.
Background And Aim:
The aim of this study was to determine whether the gastric longitudinal shortening occurs during the gastric phase III in man.
Methods:
Intragastric pH and gastroduodenal motility were simultaneously measured by means of a 24-h ambulatory recording system in 14 healthy volunteers. In nine subjects (group A), the catheter assembly was endoscopically clipped to the gastric mucosa with the middle transducer and the distal pH sensor in the antrum. In the remaining five subjects (group B), measurements were performed without securing the assembly.
Results:
In 23 of the 25 gastrointestinal interdigestive migrating complexes in group A, the distal and middle transducers showed characteristic duodenal contractions (11-12 c.p.m.). Neutralization was noted at the distal pH sensor. Similar phenomena were observed during all 15 gastrointestinal interdigestive migrating complexes in group B. The catheter assemblies escaped into the duodenum despite the fact that they were secured to the stomach. This may be explained by gastric longitudinal shortening during gastric phase III activities.
Conclusions:
Studies of intragastric physiology with test catheters must take the effect of gastric longitudinal shortening during phase III into consideration.
Related Concept Videos
Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical manifestations of acute gastritis
The patient with acute gastritis may have a rapid onset of symptoms, such as epigastric pain or discomfort, dyspepsia, anorexia, hiccups, or nausea and vomiting, which can last from a few hours to a few days. Erosive or hemorrhagic gastritis may cause bleeding, which may manifest as blood in vomit or as...
Gastric Phase of Digestion
When food enters the stomach, it stretches the stomach walls and activates stretch receptors. This triggers local reflexes of the enteric nervous system, mediated through the myenteric plexus. These...
Intestinal Phase of Digestion
The arrival of the chyme in the small intestine distends the duodenum, which triggers the enterogastric reflex. This distension...
Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Complications
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology
Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
