Abstract
The effect of bolus viscosity on oropharyngeal and esophageal emptying is not known. We investigated this question in 38 healthy volunteers by measuring the transit of five semisolid boluses of varying viscosities across the oropharynx and the esophagus with the aid of scintigraphy. The studies were performed twice on consecutive days. The results show that oropharyngeal and esophageal emptying are reliably reproduced from day to day. Esophageal emptying was inversely related to bolus viscosity; however, oropharyngeal emptying was not influenced by bolus viscosity. We conclude that bolus viscosity has significant, but selective, effect on oropharyngoesophageal emptying.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hollis JB, Castell DO: Effect of dry swallows and wet swallows of different volumes on esophageal peristalsis. J Appl Physiol 38:1161–1164, 1975
Vanek AW, Diamant NE: Responses of the human esophagus to paired swallows. Gastroenterology 92:643–650, 1987
Dooley CP, DiLorenzo C, Valenzuela JE: Esophageal function in humans: effects of bolus consistency and temperature. Dig Dis Sci 35:167–172, 1990
Winship DH, Viegas de Andrade SR, Zboralski FF: Influence of bolus temperature on human esophageal motor function. J Clin Invest 49:243–250, 1970
Kaye MD, Kilby AE, Harper PC: Changes in distal esophageal function in response to cooling. Dig Dis Sci 32:22–27, 1987
Meyer GW, Castell CO: Human esophageal response during chest pain induced by swallowing cold liquids. JAMA 246:2057–2059, 1981
Cannon WB, Moser A: The movements of food in the esophagus. Am J Physiol 1:435–444, 1988
Ingelfinger FJ: Esophageal motility. Physiol Rev 38:533–584, 1958
Dooley CP, Schlossmacher B, Valenzuela JE: Effects of alterations in bolus viscosity on esophageal peristalsis in humans. Am J Physiol 254:G8-G11, 1988
Klein HA, Wald A: Computer analysis of radionuclide esophageal transit studies. J Nucl Med 25:957–964, 1984
Fisher MA, Hendrix TR, Hurst JN, Murrills AJ: Relation between volume swallowed and velocity of the bolus ejected from the pharynx into the esophagus. Gastroenterology 74:1238–1240, 1978
Kahrilas PJ, Dodds WJ, Dent J, Logemann JA, Shaker R: Upper esophageal sphincter function during deglutition. Gastroenterology 95:52–62, 1988
Dantas RO, Kern MK, Massey BT, Dodds WJ, Kahrilas PJ, Brasseur JG, Cook IJ, Lang IM: Effect of swallowed bolus variables on oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. Am J Physiol G675–G681, 1990
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kim, C.H., Hsu, J.J., O'Connor, M.K. et al. Effect of viscosity on oropharyngeal and esophageal emptying in man. Digest Dis Sci 39, 189–192 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02090081
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02090081