1.   No grouping had basal upper oesophageal sphincter pressure that differed significantly from any other.

2.   The oesophageal distention caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux is a potent stimulus of transient upper oesophageal sphincter relaxations in children.

3.   These relaxations are a more likely explanation for oesophagopharyngeal reflux than defective basal upper oesophageal sphincter tone.

4.   The upper oesophageal sphincter is considered to be the major barrier preventing oesophagopharyngeal reflux.

5.   Our technique permits continuous recording from the upper oesophageal sphincter for periods of several hours without resort to sedation.

6.   This pattern consisted of a sequence of reptitive contractions that originated immediately below the region of the upper oesophageal sphincter.