Differences in colonic tone and phasic response to a meal in the transverse and sigmoid human colon.

It is not yet clear whether the regional differences in the physical properties of the colon influence its motor responses. Tonic and phasic colonic motility and compliance of the transverse and sigmoid colon were therefore assessed using a combined barostat-manometry assembly in 22 healthy subjects. Measured colonic compliance was corrected by subtraction of the compliance of the closed barostat system. The mean (SEM) preprandial colonic...