Intestinal and Colonic Motility

Question 1

Name the 4 things involved in intestinal motility

Answer 1

segmentation

peristalsis

intestino-intestinal reflex

migrating motility complex

Question 2

Explain segmentation in the small intestines

Answer 2

segmentation breaks the bolus into two sections, then brings them back together for mixing

Question 3

Explain peristalsis in the small intestines

Answer 3

Peristalsis is a muscle contraction that pushes the bolus down the length of the intestines

Question 4

Give 3 characteristics of the intestino-intestinal reflex

Answer 4

contractilve activity is inhibited proximal to an obstruction

prevents movement of ingesta into distal segment

mediated by extrinsic (autonomic) nervous system

Question 5

Name some disorders of the intestinal tract (also known as ileus)

Answer 5

viral enteritis (ex: parvo)

inflammatory bowel disease

post-anesthetic, post-surgical

electrolytes - decreased K+ or Ca2+

intestinal fibrosis

autonomic neuropathy

Question 6

Name the 5 things involved in colonic motility of the proximal colon

Answer 6

cecum and ascending colon

segmentation

anti-peristalsis

mixing of contents

extraction of water

Question 7

Name the 4 things involved in colonic motility of the distal colon

Answer 7

descending colon

storage

mass movement

defecation

Question 8

Clinical signs of feline constipation (6)

Answer 8

reduced defecation

dyschezia

unusual patterns

dry/hard feces

hematochezia

anorexia/lethargy

Question 9

Name the 3 steps of constipation

Answer 9

constipation

obstipation (failure of colonic motility)

megacolon (loss of colon form)

Question 10

Name the pathogenesis of feline constipation (4)

Answer 10

idiopathic

pelvic stenosis

nerve injury

manx deformity