Influence of a fatty acid on duodenal motility.

The duodenal transport mechanism has been studied by a method combining roentgen-fluorography and multiple pressure recordings. Three main types of motility were distinguished: propulsive, retrograde, and static. The motor pattern in the first part of the duodenum was studied in 15 individuals under basal condition and after application in the duodenal lumen of sodium myristate. The resulting inhibition of gastric emptying was found to be correlated to a significant inhibition of the propulsive movements in the duodenum. The two others types of motor activity did not change significantly.