Architecture and function of the gastroesophageal barrier in the piglet

We describe the anatomy and function of the gastroesophageal barrier in the piglet, Male piglets underwent dissection (N = 6) and gastroesophageal mus cle layer histometry (N = 6). Sedated, nonintubated animals (N = 13) underw ent four-probe perfusion esophageal manometry and the pressure profiles wer e related to the muscular thickness in the four quadrants. Hiatal and gastr oesophageal anatomy are similar to our own. The muscle is thicker at the po int where the clasp (on the right side) and sling fibers (on the left) conc entrate. The pressure profiles were axially and radially asymmetric in coin cidence with the thickness variations of the corresponding muscle layers. S phincteric pressure was recorded as a plateau, whereas diaphragmatic crural pressure appeared as phasic oscillations in synchrony with respiration. Th e sphincter relaxed upon deglutition. In conclusion, the gastroesophageal s tructure and physiology are so similar in men and piglets that piglets are excellent models for research in this area.