Physiology of the Antral Pump and Gastric Emptying

Abstract

The motor function of the antrum and pylorus integrates with the proximal stomach and duodenum to regulate emptying of gastric contents into the small intestine at between 1 and 4kcal/minute, so as to optimize digestion and absorption of ingested nutrients. Distal stomach motor activity is characterized by phasic contractile waves, which are responsible for trituration and grinding of solids, and for pumping chyme across the pylorus; the latter acts as a brake to gastric outflow by generating tonic and phasic pressures. Solid food empties from the stomach after an initial lag phase as small particles. Low nutrient liquids empty in exponential fashion, and then change to a more linear pattern..