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Visceral Sensitivity

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Pediatric Neurogastroenterology

Abstract

The GI tract has a rich afferent innervation that can detect mechanical, chemical, and thermal stimuli. Sensory information reaching the cortex can give rise to conscious sensations, painful or not. Abnormal heightened visceral sensitivity may lead to functional gastrointestinal disorders, and visceral hypersensitivity is considered a crucial pathophysiological factor. This chapter covers the description of the sensory innervation of the GI tract and the pathways followed in the central nervous system. The physiology of visceral sensitivity and the mechanisms leading to visceral hypersensitivity in children are also described and discussed.

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  1. Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Chemin de la Côte Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, H3T 1C5, QC, Canada

    Christophe Faure M.D. & Franziska Righini Grunder M.D.

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  1. Christophe Faure M.D.
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  2. Franziska Righini Grunder M.D.
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Correspondence to Christophe Faure M.D. .

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  1. Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Christophe Faure

  2. Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom

    Nikhil Thapar

  3. Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology, and Nutrition, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Carlo Di Lorenzo

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Faure, C., Righini Grunder, F. (2017). Visceral Sensitivity. In: Faure, C., Thapar, N., Di Lorenzo, C. (eds) Pediatric Neurogastroenterology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43268-7_4

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