Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation is impaired in older patients with dysphagia

Figure 1 Example of swallow pressure topography spanning from the pharynx (15-20 cm) to stomach (44-47 cm), in a young patient with normal peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. Pressure data (amplitudes shown by colour gradient) are displayed with time on the x-axis and location of sensors on the y-axis. Points of measurement for motility parameters are indicated with arrows. Pressure sensors located in the region of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) are spaced 1 cm apart, spanning a 6 cm segment. LESP: Lower esophageal sphincter pressure.