The application of motility studies to gastroenterological problems.

MOTOR activity of the human alimentary tract may be studied with a variety of techniques, including intraluminal manometry, estimation of transit rates with non-absorbable markers, cineradiography, recording of electrical potentials and in vitro pharmacological experiments. In this paper the way in which these techniques are used to investigate various pathological conditions are discussed, with emphasis on manometric studies. Technical aspects of manometry are also mentioned, but because of limitations of space this paper should not be regarded as a comprehensive review.