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Gastrointestinal peristalsis: Joint action of enteric nerves, smooth muscle, and interstitial cells of Cajal
Author(s) -
Huizinga Jan D.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0029(19991115)47:4<239::aid-jemt3>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - interstitial cell of cajal , peristalsis , enteric nervous system , biology , neuroscience , smooth muscle , cholinergic , anatomy , electrophysiology , endocrinology
Peristalsis is a propulsive motor pattern orchestrated by neuronal excitation and inhibition in cooperation with intrinsic muscular control mechanisms, including those residing in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Interstitial cells of Cajal form a network of cells in which electrical slow waves originate and then propagate into the musculature initiating rhythmic contractile activity upon excitaton by enteric nerves. Interstitial cells of Cajal have now been isolated and their intrinsic properties reveal the presence of rhythmic inward currents not found in smooth muscle cells. In tissues where classical slow waves are not present, enteric cholinergic excitation will evoke slow wave‐like activity that forces action potentials to occur in a rhythmic manner. Intrinsic and induced slow wave activity directs many of the peristaltic motor patterns in the gut. Microsc. Res. Tech. 47:239–247, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.