Haustral septations increase the axial and radial distribution of
luminal contents in glass models of the colon.
Brown, Bruce P., James E. Schrier, Kevin S. Berbaum, Siroos S.
Shirazi, Konrad Schulze-Delrieu.
Depts. of Radiology, Family Practice, Surgery, and Medicine,
University of Iowa and VAMC, Iowa City, IA
APStracts 2:0118G, 1995.
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, 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. Distance each traveled was compared using analysis of
variance. The non-septated 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 to the non-septated model, this
produced statistically significant increases in the distances
traveled by means of 32 (dye) and 90 (particle) percent. Our studies
suggest that septations in a tubular organ facilitate intraluminal
mixing and flow of liquids and solids.
Received 6 October 1994; accepted in final form 31 May 1995.
APS Manuscript Number G403-4.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Gastrointest. Liver
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 6 July 1995.