Enteric nervous system

Jump to navigation Jump to search
The enteric nervous system is embedded in the lining of the gastrointestinal system.

WikiDoc Resources for Enteric nervous system

Articles

Most recent articles on Enteric nervous system

Most cited articles on Enteric nervous system

Review articles on Enteric nervous system

Articles on Enteric nervous system in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Enteric nervous system

Images of Enteric nervous system

Photos of Enteric nervous system

Podcasts & MP3s on Enteric nervous system

Videos on Enteric nervous system

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Enteric nervous system

Bandolier on Enteric nervous system

TRIP on Enteric nervous system

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Enteric nervous system at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Enteric nervous system

Clinical Trials on Enteric nervous system at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Enteric nervous system

NICE Guidance on Enteric nervous system

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Enteric nervous system

CDC on Enteric nervous system

Books

Books on Enteric nervous system

News

Enteric nervous system in the news

Be alerted to news on Enteric nervous system

News trends on Enteric nervous system

Commentary

Blogs on Enteric nervous system

Definitions

Definitions of Enteric nervous system

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Enteric nervous system

Discussion groups on Enteric nervous system

Patient Handouts on Enteric nervous system

Directions to Hospitals Treating Enteric nervous system

Risk calculators and risk factors for Enteric nervous system

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Enteric nervous system

Causes & Risk Factors for Enteric nervous system

Diagnostic studies for Enteric nervous system

Treatment of Enteric nervous system

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Enteric nervous system

International

Enteric nervous system en Espanol

Enteric nervous system en Francais

Business

Enteric nervous system in the Marketplace

Patents on Enteric nervous system

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Enteric nervous system

Overview

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a subdivision of the Peripheral Nervous System, that directly controls the gastrointestinal system. It is capable of autonomous functions such as the coordination of reflexes, although it receives considerable innervation from the autonomic nervous system and thus is often considered a part of it. Its study is the focus of neurogastroenterology. It has as many as one billion neurons, one hundredth of the number of neurons in the brain, and considerably more than the number of neurons in the spinal cord. It has become a colloquialism among university students to refer to this subdivision as the "Poo-Poo Brain".

Layers

The neurons of the ENS are collected into two types of ganglia: myenteric (Auerbach's) and submucosal (Meissner's) plexuses. Myenteric plexuses are located between the inner and outer layers of the muscularis externa, while submucosal plexuses are located in the submucosa.

Complexity

There are several reasons why the enteric nervous system may be regarded as a second brain. The enteric nervous system can operate autonomously. It normally communicates with the CNS through the parasympathetic (eg, via the vagus nerve) and sympathetic (eg, via the prevertebral ganglia) nervous systems. However, vertebrate studies show that when the vagus nerve is severed, the enteric nervous system continues to function.

The complexity of the enteric nervous system is another reason for its status as a second brain. In vertebrates the enteric nervous system includes efferent neurons, afferent neurons, and interneurons, all of which make the enteric nervous system capable of carrying reflexes in the absence of CNS input. The sensory neurons report on mechanical and chemical conditions. Through intestinal muscles, the motor neurons control peristalsis and churning of intestinal contents. Other neurons control the secretion of enzymes. The enteric nervous system also makes use of the same neurotransmitters as the CNS, such as acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin. The enteric nervous system has the capacity to alter its response depending on such factors as bulk and nutrient composition.

References

  • The book The Second Brain by Dr. Michael D. Gershon
  • "The Enteric nervous system (ENS)" at anaesthetist.com
  • Saffrey M (2004). "Ageing of the enteric nervous system". Mech Ageing Dev. 125 (12): 899–906. PMID 15563936. Link
  • Grundy D, Schemann M (2006). "Enteric nervous system". Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 22 (2): 102–10. PMID 16462164. Link
  • Furness JB (2006) The Enteric Nervous System. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 274

External links

  • Essentials of Human Physiology by Thomas M. Nosek. Section 6/6ch2/s6ch2_29.

Additional images

de:Enterisches Nervensystem dv:އެންޓީރިކް ނާރވަސް ސިސްޓަމް Template:WH Template:WikiDoc Sources