Abstract
The segment of the alimentary canal from the pharynx to the inlet to the stomach measures 26 to 30 cm in length. The upper third consists of striated muscle and the lower two-thirds of smooth muscle fibers. The upper esophageal sphincter is represented by the striated musculus cricopharyngicus. The lower esophageal sphincter (esophagogastric sphincter) consists of a ring-like band of smooth muscle fibers. The resting pressure is elevated in the region of both sphincters as the result of tonic contraction, thereby creating a closure mechanism.
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© 1979 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
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Schmid, M., Knoblauch, M. (1979). Digestive Organs. In: Buehlmann, A.A., Froesch, E.R. (eds) Pathophysiology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-9954-7_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-9954-7_11
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9956-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-9954-7
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