Regulation of Gut Function Flashcards
What are the methods of of regulation of gut function?
Nervous system
- intrinsic (enteric)
- extrinsic
Gut hormones
- paracrine
- endocrine
- neurocrine
Describe the gut nervous system.
Describe the sympathetic nervous system for the gut.
Sympathetic preganglionic neurons arise from the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord
- Stomach (T6-9)
- Colon (L2-5)
Postganglionic neurons innervating
- Stomach
- coeliac ganglion
- Small intestine
– superior mesenteric ganglion
- Colon
– inferior mesenteric and pelvic ganglion
Neurotransmitter: norepinephrine
Activation of sympathetic nervous system inhibit activities of gastrointestinal tract
Describe the parasympathetic nervous system for the gut.
Parasympathetic innervation to stomach, small intestine and proximal colon is supplied by the vagus nerve.
Preganglionic neurons originate in dorsal vagal complex within brainstem from sacral spinal cord.
Neurotransmitter – acetylcholine
Activation of parasympathetic nervous system stimulates the gastrointestinal tract.
How do the para and symp NS work on gut?
What is the enteric (intrinsic) NS?
“The 2nd brain”
Autonomous
Can also interact with sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
The wall of the gastrointestinal tract contains many neurons – 2nd only to the brain
Where is the location of the different plexi in the wall of the GI tract?
Myenteric and submucosal plexus
What is the function of the myenteric plexus?
Myenteric (Auerbach’s) plexus
- controls activity of muscularis propria
- controls gut motor (motility) function
- tone, velocity of contraction and intensity of contraction.
What is the function of the submucosal plexus?
Submucosal (Meissner’s) plexus
- senses the local environment (gut lumen)
- controls secretion, blood flow, epithelial and endocrine cell function
What is the local reflex of the enteric nervous system?
Food enters gut lumen and stretches the intestinal smooth muscles->
Distension of the gut causes stimulation of the sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus
Chemicals in food stimulates sensory neurons in submucosal plexus->
Sequential contraction/relaxation of circular and longitudinal muscle by inhibitory/excitatory neurotransmitter cause peristalsis, which allows food to move along the GI tract
Describe peristalsis.
What muscle are involved in segmentation?
circular
What muscles are involved in peristalsis?
longitudinal
What does the sympathetic NS trigger in the GI tract?
- reduces peristalsis
- reduces absorption
- reduces secretion
- reduces blood flow (via enteric nervous system and also directly)
What does the parasympathetic NS trigger in the GI tract?
- increases peristalsis
- increases absorption
- increases secretion
- increases blood flow
Describe the interaction of the extrinsic NS and intrinsic (enteric) NS.
What is Hirschsprung’s disease?
Congenital absence of ganglion of myenteric and submucosal
Tonal contraction without reciprocal relaxation
Intestinal distension proximal to aganglionic segment of bowel
Most will require surgery