[Paradoxical sphincters and cardinal continence function of the gastric fundus].

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common disorder in humans and has been treated for the last 67 years using fundoplication. However, treatment results have generally not been satisfactory. Physiological and anatomic findings must be taken into account to improve the therapy technique. In this article, these are described using the example of paradoxical sphincters and the effect of NO signal molecules in the gastrointestinal tract.