[The lower esophageal sphincter and manometry methods].

For measuring the closing strength in the lower esophageal sphincter an adequate method of manometrie is necessary. A pressure measuring device is placed into the esophageal occlusion segment and is filled with water under a variably fixed pressure. Thus a radial force tries to open the closed sphincter. The opening pressure can be equated to the closing pressure. Moreover the activity of sphincteric musculature influenced by drugs can be investigated under a constant radial pressure.