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Autonomic Nervous System - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 15:30, 9 March 2011
, 15:30, 9 March 2011→Enteric Nervous system
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Digestive processes are coordinated by both neural and hormonal processes and neural regulation involves two different types of reflex arcs that together contribute to control of the GI tract. Short reflex arcs exist where both the sensory and motor nerve cells are contained within the wall of the digestive tract making up the ENS. (Long reflex arcs also exist that connect the GI tract to the CNS and whilst part of the PNS, are not part of the ENS). The ENS (short reflex arc) consists of two nerve plexuses within the wall of the GI tract in which the nerve cells form synapses with one another allowing sensory cells and motor cells to communicate. The simplest short reflex arcs involve a single sensory cell and a single motor cell, with a simple cause and effect. More complex short reflex arcs involve nerve impulses being propagated along a length of the GI tract by interneurons. An example of this would be the stimulation of sensory cells in the upper GI tract affecting motor function and secretion in lower parts of the GI tract. Since these more complex reflex arcs do not connect directly with the CNS, these reflexes are considered part of the ENS.
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[[Category:Nervous System - Anatomy & Physiology]]
[[Category:Nervous System - Anatomy & Physiology]]
[[Category:To Do - A&P]]
[[Category:To Do - A&P]]