Intraluminal pressure profiles and mucosal movements in the stomach and duodenum

Records of a possible relationship between intraluminal pressure profiles and movements of the mucosal layer are not obtainable. A prospective study was initiated to investigate this aspect in the pyloric region of the stomach and in the duodenum. The results indicate that simultaneously with certain contraction waves of the walls, all mucosal folds within the confines of the contraction change in direction to become longitudinal, thus forming longitudinal intraluminal mucosal troughs. (It is presumed that these will enhance linear flow of semiliquid intestinal contents.) The phenomenon occurs regularly and is an inherent component of various contraction waves, including peristalsis. The definition of peristalsis should probably be expanded to include reference to this mucosal component. These normal findings may serve as a base line for the investigation of mucosal motility patterns in pathological situations, e.g. peptic ulcer.