The function of the esophagus is to move food by peristaltic motion, which is the result of the interaction of the tissue forces in the esophageal wall and the hydrodynamic forces in the food bolus. To understand the tissue forces in the esophagus, it is necessary to know the zero-stress state of the esophagus, and the stress–strain relationships of the tissues. This article is addressed to the first topic: the representation of zero-stress state of the esophagus by the states of zero stress-resultant and zero bending moment of the mucosa–submucosa and the muscle layers. It is shown that at the states of zero stress-resultant and zero bending moment, these two layers are not tubes of smaller radii but are open sectors whose shapes are approximately cylindrical and more or less circular. When the sectors are approximated by circular sectors, we measured their radii, opening angles, and average thickness around the circumference. Data on the radii, thickness-to-radius ratios, and the opening angles of these sectors are presented. Knowing the zero-stress state of these two layers, we can compute the strain distribution in the wall at any in vivo state, as well as the residual strain in the esophageal wall at the no-load state. The results of the in vivo states are compared to those obtained by a conventional approach, which treats the esophageal wall as a homogeneous material, and to another popular simplification, which ignores the residual strains completely. It is shown that the errors caused by the homogeneous wall assumption are relatively minor, but those caused by ignoring the residual strains completely are severe.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
October 1999
Research Papers
Strain Distribution in the Layered Wall of the Esophagus
H. Gregersen,
H. Gregersen
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
Search for other works by this author on:
T. C. Lee,
T. C. Lee
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
Search for other works by this author on:
S. Chien,
S. Chien
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
Search for other works by this author on:
R. Skalak,
R. Skalak
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
Search for other works by this author on:
Y. C. Fung
Y. C. Fung
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
Search for other works by this author on:
H. Gregersen
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
T. C. Lee
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
S. Chien
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
R. Skalak
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
Y. C. Fung
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412
J Biomech Eng. Oct 1999, 121(5): 442-448 (7 pages)
Published Online: October 1, 1999
Article history
Received:
November 25, 1997
Revised:
May 6, 1999
Online:
January 23, 2008
Citation
Gregersen, H., Lee, T. C., Chien, S., Skalak, R., and Fung, Y. C. (October 1, 1999). "Strain Distribution in the Layered Wall of the Esophagus." ASME. J Biomech Eng. October 1999; 121(5): 442–448. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2835072
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Related Articles
Determination of Homeostatic Elastic Moduli in Two Layers of the Esophagus
J Biomech Eng (February,2008)
A Continuous Method to Compute Model Parameters for Soft Biological Materials
J Biomech Eng (July,2011)
A Magnetic Resonance-Compatible Loading Device for Dynamically Imaging Shortening and Lengthening Muscle Contraction Mechanics
J. Med. Devices (September,2009)
Measurement of Mechanical Characteristics of Tibial Periosteum and Evaluation of Local Differences
J Biomech Eng (February,1998)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Summary and future direction
Nanomaterials in Glucose Sensing: Biomedical & Nanomedical Technologies - Concise Monographs
Conclusion
Ultrasonic Methods for Measurement of Small Motion and Deformation of Biological Tissues for Assessment of Viscoelasticity
Characterization and evaluation
Biocompatible Nanomaterials for Targeted and Controlled Delivery of Biomacromolecules