The Physiology of Eructation. Dysphagia 2016 Apr;31(2):121-33
Date
12/24/2015Pubmed ID
26694063DOI
10.1007/s00455-015-9674-6Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84951798947 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 11 CitationsAbstract
Eructation is composed of three independent phases: gas escape, upper barrier elimination, and gas transport phases. The gas escape phase is the gastro-LES inhibitory reflex that causes transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which is activated by distension of stretch receptors of the proximal stomach. The upper barrier elimination phase is the transient relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter along with airway protection. This phase is activated by stimulation of rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors of the esophageal mucosa. The gas transport phase is esophageal reverse peristalsis mediated by elementary reflexes, and it is theorized that this phase is activated by serosal rapidly adapting tension receptors. Alteration of the receptors which activate the upper barrier elimination phase of eructation by gastro-esophageal reflux of acid may in part contribute to the development of supra-esophageal reflux disease.
Author List
Lang IMAuthor
Ivan M. Lang DVM, PhD Adjunct Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
EructationEsophageal Mucosa
Esophageal Sphincter, Lower
Esophageal Sphincter, Upper
Gases
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Mechanoreceptors
Peristalsis
Stomach