Dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV): A CNS site that directly regulates activity of the lower esophageal sphincters

INTRODUCTION: Concurrent transient relaxations of both the lower esophageal sphincters (LES) and crural diaphragm (CD) have been shown to be associated with gastroesophageal reflux. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the DMV regulates the activity of the both esophageal sphincters by a direct projection to these end organs. Additionally, since these sphincters act in tandem, we were interested to know the degree of their co-innervation by the DMV.