Document Detail


Structure and function of the esophagus of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16081603     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Esophageal structure and function were studied in juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). The anatomy of alligators differs from humans in several important aspects: the crocodilian esophagus is more muscular and is composed entirely of smooth muscle. Functionally, the crocodilian esophagus is similar to that of mammals, but alligators have peak esophageal peristaltic pressures that are 2-3-fold greater than pressures in the human esophagus. As is found in humans, the incidence of esophageal reflux increased in postprandial animals compared with the fasting state. We observed a large increase in pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) during ventilation that ranged from 200% to 3000% of the pressures measured during apnea. These pressure changes appear to be intrinsic to the LES. Alligators lack a mammalian-type diaphragm; thus, there is no crural diaphragmatic contribution to LES pressure. These features recommend the alligator as a useful model for the study of regulation of the LES.
Authors:
T J Uriona; C G Farmer; J Dazely; F Clayton; J Moore
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of experimental biology     Volume:  208     ISSN:  0022-0949     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Exp. Biol.     Publication Date:  2005 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-08-05     Completed Date:  2006-02-06     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0243705     Medline TA:  J Exp Biol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  3047-53     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, 257 South 1400 East, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. uriona@biology.utah.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Alligators and Crocodiles*
Animals
Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / physiology*
Esophagus / anatomy & histology*,  physiology
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Manometry
Peristalsis / physiology*
Pressure
Pulmonary Ventilation / physiology

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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