Nervous Control of Esophageal and Gastric Motility

The esophagus may be regarded as a tube extending from pharynx to stomach and serving for transport of material between these two organs. At rest (i.e., between swallows and regurgitations), sphincter mechanisms at either end of the tube prevent easy access of air from above and gastric contents from below. For purposes of clarity the control of the tubular esophagus (or esophageal body) and that of the sphincter areas will be dealt with separately.