Tertiary esophageal contractions

Last revised by Liz Silverstone ◉ ◈ on 8 Apr 2024

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Weerakkody Y, Silverstone L, Ismail M, et al. Tertiary esophageal contractions. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 27 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-161478

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-161478

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/161478

rID:

161478

Article created:

2 Feb 2023, Yuranga Weerakkody ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Yuranga Weerakkody had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Yuranga Weerakkody's current disclosures

Last revised:

8 Apr 2024, Liz Silverstone ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Liz Silverstone had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Liz Silverstone's current disclosures

Revisions:

5 times, by 4 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Chest, Gastrointestinal

Tags:

oesophageal contraction

Synonyms:

Tertiary contractions
Tertiary esophageal contractions
Tertiary oesophageal waves
Tertiary esophageal waves

Tertiary esophageal contractions are non-propulsive contractions of the esophagus which are seen as uncoordinated contractions of the distal esophageal wall. Isolated tertiary esophageal waves of the non-repetitive type are thought to occur in normal subjects. Swallowing-induced repetitive tertiary waves are considered abnormal.

Tertiary waves (especially if repetitive or prolonged) have been observed in certain pathological situations such as: