| Electrogastrogram | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | detects, analyzes and records the myoelectrical signals that are generated by the smooth muscle activity of the stomach, intestines and other smooth muscle containing organs. |
An electrogastrogram (EGG) is a computer generated graphic produced by electrogastrography, which detects, analyzes and records the myoelectrical signal generated by the movement of the smooth muscle of the stomach, intestines and other smooth muscle containing organs. An electrogastroenterogram or electroviscerogram (or gastroenterogram) is a similar display of the recording of myoelectrical activity of gastrointestinal or other organs which are able to generate myoelectrical activity.
These names are made of different parts: electro, because it is related to electrical activity, gastro, Greek for stomach, entero or viscero, Greek for intestines, gram, a Greek root meaning "to write".
An electrogastrogram (EGG), electroviscerogram (EVG) or a gastroenterogram are similar in principle to an electrocardiogram (ECG) in that sensors on the skin detect electrical signals indicative of muscular activity within. Where the electrocardiogram detects muscular activity in various regions of the heart, the electrogastrogram or electroviscerogram detects the myoelectrical activity of the wave-like contractions of the stomach, intestines or other organs (peristalsis).
Walter C. Alvarez discovered the EGG signal and pioneered early studies of electrogastrography in 1921–22.[1]