Biomechanical properties of oesophagus wall under loading

Abstract

In this investigation, firstly, the biomechanical properties of different parts of oesophagus were determined. Oesophagus stress and strain are the greatest in the cervical part for all age groups. The human oesophagus deforms unevenly, depending on the direction of load in relation to the organ's axis, it exhibits anisotropical behaviour. With the age the values of mechanical parameters of the oesophagus wall reduce, in particular beginning from 45 years of age, but the modulus of elasticity increases. Biomechanical properties of the oesophagus depend on the architecture of its structure. By loading the organ in the circumferential direction, microfibrilae rupture and deformation of the muscular fibres occurs. With increase of load, collagenous fibres straighten and microruptures in collagenous fibrilae occur. With stretching of oesophagus longitudinally, collagenous fibres partially preserve their wavy and helical configuration. Therefore, higher resistance of the oesophageal wall occurs in the longitudinal direction.