Esophageal Motility and Slow Waves Flashcards
2 Types of visceral smooth muscle contraction
phasic and tonic contractions
phasic contraction
rhythmic contractions and relaxations in seconds (single-unit of SM)
tonic contractions
sustained contraction lasting minutes to hours (multi-unit SM or sphincters)
Which contraction occurs depends on
myogenic properties of the SM (single unit vs multi), NOT neuronal/hormonal control
The strength of the contraction depends on
neuronal/hormonal control
Tone
baseline tension maintained between phasic contractions above 0
What allows for single unit SM to have coordinated contractions?
GAP junctions
What is the effect of ACh on visceral SM?
Contraction
ACh binds what receptor to cause visceral SM contraction
Muscarinic
Peristalsis is an example of what type of contraction?
phasic contractions
All GI smooth muscle has basal tone except
smooth muscle of the lower 2/3 of the esophageal body
striated muscle of the esophageal body contracts when
excitatory NT is released
striated muscle of the esophageal body relaxes when
excitatory NT is NOT released
visceral smooth muscle contracts when
excitatory NT is released
visceral smooth muscle relaxes when
inhibitory NT is released
3 functional parts of the esophagus
Upper esophagus sphincter (UES), Body, Lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
UES
junction of pharynx and esophageal body; striated muscle, normally closed (vagal LMNs)
Body
located between 2 sphincters, upper 1/3 is striated, lower 2/3 is smooth muscle, no slow waves or basal tone
LES
junction of esophagus and stomach, under intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal pressure; multi-unit circular smooth muscle, high tone, modulated by inhibitory and excitatory neurons
Contraction
increased intensity of tonic contractions
Relaxation
decreased intensity of tonic or phasic contractions
Oral Stage of deglutition
VOLUNTARY; inhibits respiration for 2 sec
Pharyngeal stage of deglutition
INVOLUTARY; bolus activates afferent sensory neurons in oropharynx and PRIMARY peristaltic contractions propel food through UES and into upper esophageal body
Esophageal stage of deglutition
INVOLUNTARY; PRIMARY peristaltic contraction propels food through lower esophageal sphincter and into stomach
What nerve innervates the esophagus?
Vagus
Striated muscle of the UES and esophageal body is innervated
DIRECTLY by the vagal LMNs, which form motor endplates
Vagal LMN endplates release ______ that binds striated muscle receptors to cause contraction
ACh binds Nicotinic muscle receptors on UES and upper 1/3 esophageal body to cause contraction
Smooth muscle of the esophagus is innervated
INDIRECTLY by vagal preganglionic neurons synapsing on myenteric neurons (inhibitory and excitatory pathways)
2 types of esophageal peristalsis
primary and secondary
Primary esophageal peristalsis
preceded by pharyngeal peristalsis, follows a swallow, LONG parasympathetic neural reflex
Secondary esophageal peristalsis
absence of pharyngeal peristalsis, initiated by distention, mediated by LONG and SHORT neural reflexes (clear esophagus)