The cricopharyngeal sphincter in gastric reflux.
This study was prompted by a clinical association noted between reflux oesophagitis and upper oesophageal disorders. Patients with reflux oesophagitis have been shown to have a significantly raised resting cricopharyngeal pressure. Patients with reflux oesophagitis (36%) complaining of dysphagia localized to the throat also had a high resting cricopharyngeal pressure. Successful repair of a hiatus hernia restored the cricopharyngeal pressure to within the normal range. Four of the five patients studied who had a pharyngeal pouch also had a raised cricopharyngeal pressure.
D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000209:etiology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology