AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 269, Issue 5 706-G709, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society
Haustral septations increase axial and radial distribution of luminal contents in glass models of the colon
B. P. Brown, J. E. Schrier, K. S. Berbaum, S. S. Shirazi and K. Schulze-Delrieu
Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
We used two glass models of the colon to test the hypothesis that luminal
septations increase efficiency of flow. Each was a straight glass tube 4 cm
in diameter and filled with water. One had four septations narrowing the
lumen to 2 cm; the other had no septations. For each run, liquid dye and
one solid test particle were placed at one end of the model. A single
pressure pulse was applied to the dye and particle. The distance each
traveled was compared using analysis of variance. The nonseptated model had
poor mixing of dye, and the particle moved only short distances. In the
septated model, there was thorough mixing of dye and the particle moved
rapidly along what appeared as a central core of high-velocity liquid flow
from one septal opening to another. Compared with the nonseptated model,
this produced statistically significant increases in the distances traveled
by means of 32 (dye) and 90% (particle). Our studies suggest that
septations in a tubular organ facilitate intraluminal mixing and flow of
liquids and solids.
