Quantitation of pharyngeal motor function in normal human subjects.

A need exists for accurate pressure recording of pharyngeal motor events. Results of this study indicate that accurate quantitation of pharyngeal motor activity is not possible using a water-filled catheter system, even when high infusion rates are used. An intraluminal strain gauge system, however, achieves high-fidelity recording. Quantitation of pharyngeal peristalsis using the intraluminal strain gauge system reveals peristaltic pressure amplitudes higher than those hitherto recorded. In normal subjects, peristaltic amplitude averages about 200 mmHg in the hypopharynx, complexes in one subject being as high as 600 mmHg. A zone of relatively low pressure exists in the oropharynx. Mean pharyngeal wave duration decreases progressively in an aboral direction, from 1.0 to 0.3 s, and peristaltic wave speeds range between 9 and 25 cm/s. Accurate quantitation of pharyngeal peristaltic variables provides the necessary basis for characterization and assessment of pharyngeal motor disorders.