Physiology MCQ Answer 35

Motility of the small intestine is definitely affected by both the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. The gastroileal and intestinointestinal reflexes depend on the extrinsic nervous systems. Segmentation contractions are the most common type of contractions, which serve to mix the chyme with digestive juices. The frequency of contractions is higher in the proximal intestine than in the distal intestine. This serves to propel the chyme towards the colon. As opposed to the stomach, action/spike potentials are required on top of slow waves in the small intestine for contractions to occur. But like the stomach, there is a migrating motility complex every 90 minutes which clears the remqaining chyme from the small intestine.

Category: Physiology MCQs