Overview of the Enteric Nervous System

Gary M. Mawe; Kenton M. Sanders; Michael Camilleri

doi:10.1055/s-0043-1771466

Seminars in Neurology, Table of Contents

Semin Neurol 2023; 43(04): 495-505
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771466

Review Article

Overview of the Enteric Nervous System

Authors

Gary M. Mawe

¹Department of Neurological Sciences, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
Kenton M. Sanders

²Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada
Michael Camilleri

³Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research (C.E.N.T.E.R.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Abstract

Propulsion of contents in the gastrointestinal tract requires coordinated functions of the extrinsic nerves to the gut from the brain and spinal cord, as well as the neuromuscular apparatus within the gut. The latter includes excitatory and inhibitory neurons, pacemaker cells such as the interstitial cells of Cajal and fibroblast-like cells, and smooth muscle cells. Coordination between these extrinsic and enteric neurons results in propulsive functions which include peristaltic reflexes, migrating motor complexes in the small intestine which serve as the housekeeper propelling to the colon the residual content after digestion, and mass movements in the colon which lead to defecation.

Keywords

muscle neuron - pacemaker - propulsion - extrinsic

Full Text

References

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