Esophageal manometry is an outpatient test used to identify problems with movement and pressure in the esophagus that may lead to problems like heartburn. The esophagus is the food pipe leading from the mouth to the stomach. Manometry measures the strength and muscle coordination of your esophagus when you swallow. During the manometry test, a thin, pressure-sensitive tube is passed through the nose, along the back of the throat, down the esophagus, and into the stomach.