Esophageal Function Test

The esophagus is a tube made of muscle with its main function helping food passes through from the mouth to the stomach. It has sphincters or ring-shaped muscles at both sides of it to ensure that food doesn’t move backward creating a reflux (i.e. acid reflux). An esophageal function test is used to determine if these sphincters are functioning properly. In order to work well, each must contract in sequence when swallowing occurs. 

Some of the most popular conditions associated with the esophagus include: heartburn, chest pain and trouble swallowing. Other relative tests include an endoscopy, where a doctor looks to see if there are tumors or ulcers on the organ. However, this test alone doesn’t provide the cause of the root problem. That’s why an esophageal function test is performed. 

There are three different types of tests to assess esophageal function: manometry, esophageal pH monitoring and an X-ray. Manometry studies the way that the muscles of the organ contract, while esophageal pH monitoring focuses on the changes in the acidity in the organ itself. These two are most successful in diagnosing those with GERD or heartburn issues. X-rays are used to follow the process of swallowing to see if any obstructions or the thinning of the muscles is occurring.