Responses to Localized Distension of the Oesophagus in Decerebrate Sheep

Abstract

THE reflex nature of contractions of the oesophagus stimulated by oesophageal stretch has been described in a number of species. In our experiments in addition to the oesophageal responses to distension of itself the effects on parotid salivary secretion, reticulum and rumen movements have been examined in decerebrate preparations of sheep. The distension was delivered and the responses to it recorded from balloons introduced through the mouth or through an incision in the mid-cervical oesophagus into the lower cervical or thoracic regions of the oesophagus. In three experiments on preparations anaesthetized with pentobarbitone sodium after decerebration the thorax was opened and the responses of the thoracic oesophagus observed directly. The effects of oesophageal distension on the reticulum, rumen and salivary responses were judged by its modification of previously established reflex responses of these structures.^1,2