At rest, closure of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is due to passive forces as well as active muscle contraction, and its relaxation requires inhibition of the cricopharyngeus and contraction of ...

Panel A shows the microscopic myoarchitecture of the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the lower esophageal sphincter and stomach. The circular muscle fibers of the esophagus cross each other ...

The esophageal sphincters are bands of muscles at the top and bottom of the esophagus — the muscular tube that passes food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal sphincters open and close ...

Motility disorders are conditions that affect the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract. There are many types of motility disorder and they can impact any part of the digestive tract, ...