Viscosity of food boluses affects the axial force in the esophagus

Figure 4 The mean ± SE amplitude (A, B) and duration (C, D) for manometry and axial force recordings during 5 mL swallows (A, C) and 10 mL swallows (B, D). The color of the columns represents the viscosity from 1 to 10 kPa•s. The axial force amplitude was marginally affected by bolus size (F = 3.5, P = 0.069) while pressure recordings were unaffected. The duration of the contraction increased as the viscosity increased. ^aP < 0.05 vs water. LES: Lower esophageal sphincter.