In the second and third parts of the duodenum the base line again represented intraluminal pressure in the absence of radiologically visible motor activity. Four monophasic duodenal pressure waves. Each was associated with a radiologically visible contraction. During each wave mucosal folds changed in direction to become longitudinal.
Base line indicates intraluminal pressure in absence of motor activity.
It was concluded that the narrowing of the intraluminal barium column was due to active contraction of the walls. The investigation was designed to determine the spatial relationship between the barium column in the lumen and the walls. The study was undertaken in informed, adult, white, volunteer patients who had been admitted to hospital with definite indications for cholecystectomy. The Ethical Committee indicated that it could find no objection to the procedure. Six patients were examined.