Mechanical Activity of Isolated Human Pyloric Muscle, in Comparison with Canine Pylorus

The role of the pylorus in the regulation of gastric emptying is still controversial. Some authors concluded that the pylorus only acts as the terminal part of the antrum (1–4), whereas other authors found evidence for a more specific function of the pylorus (5–10). We have observed in studies with isolated muscle preparations from canine pylorus that particularly the inner layer of the pyloric ring (inner pylorus) exhibits pronounced individual behaviour when compared with preparations from other regions of stomach and duodenum (11). In extension of these experiments we have now studied isolated muscle preparations from human pylorus.