Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Colonic Motility and Physiology

  • Chapter
Anorectal and Colonic Diseases

Abstract

Although the colon is not an organ essential for survival, it contributes in a major fashion to physical well-being. It plays an important role in three key homeostatic functions: (1) absorption of water and electrolytes, (2) absorption of nutrients and (3) storage and controlled evacuation of faecal material. Approximately 90% of the whole gut transit time is accounted for by colonic transit time. This prolonged transit is essential in permitting the colon to fulfil these functions. The colon can be divided functionally into two portions, the right and left colon. The right colon (caecum and ascending colon) plays a major role in water and electrolyte absorption and fermentation of undigested sugars, and the left colon (descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum) is predominantly involved in storage and evacuation of stool.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Debongnie JC, Phillips SF. Capacity of the human colon to absorb fluid Gastroenterology 1978;74:698–703

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Phillips SF, Giller J. The contribution of the colon to electrolyte and water conservation in man. J Lab Clin Med 1973;81:733–746

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Giller J, Phillips SF. Electrolyte absorption and secretion in the human colon Am J Dig Dis 1972;17:1003–1011

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Cooke HJ, Wang YZ, Frieling T, Wood JD. Neural 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors regulate chloride secretion in guinea pig distal colon. Am J Physiol 1991;261:G833–G840

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Binder HJ, Mehta P. Characterization of butyrate-dependent electroneutral Na-Cl absorption in the rat distal colon. Pflugers Arch 1990;417:365–369

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bengmark S. Bacteria for optimal health. Nutrition 2000;16:611–615

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Roy CC, Kien CL, Bouthillier L, Levy E. Short-chain fatty acids: ready for prime time? Nutr Clin Pract 2006;21:351–366

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Andoh A, Tsujikawa T, Fujiyama Y. Role of dietary fiber and short-chain fatty acids in the colon. Curr Pharm Des 2003;9:347–358

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Mortensen PB, Clausen MR. Short-chain fatty acids in the human colon: relation to gastrointestinal health and disease. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl 1996;216:132–148

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Devroede G, Lamarche J. Functional importance of extrinsic parasympathetic innervation to the distal colon and rectum in man. Gastroenterology 1974;66:273–280

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Benevento BT, Sipski ML. Neurogenic bladder, neurogenic bowel, and sexual dysfunction in people with spinal cord injury. Phys Ther 2002;82:601–612

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Craggs MD, Balasubramaniam AV, Chung EA, Emmanuel AV. Aberrant reflexes and function of the pelvic organs following spinal cord injury in man. Auton Neurosci 2006;126–127:355–370

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lynn PA, Olsson C, Zagorodnyuk V, Costa M, Brookes SJ. Rectal intraganglionic laminar endings are transduction sites of extrinsic mechanoreceptors in the guinea pig rectum. Gastroenterology 2003;125:786–794

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Zagorodnyuk V, Santicioli P, Maggi CA. Evidence for the involvement of multiple mechanisms in the excitatory action of bradykinin in the circular muscle of guinea-pig colon. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 1998;357:197–204

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Cervero F. Sensory innervation of the viscera: peripheral basis of visceral pain. Physiol Rev 1994;74:95–138

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Gebhart GF. Visceral pain – peripheral sensitisation. Gut 2000;47 Suppl 4:iv54–iv55

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Bassotti G, de Roberto G, Castellani D, Sediari L, Morelli A. Normal aspects of colorectal motility and abnormalities in slow transit constipation. World J Gastroenterol 2005;11:2691–2696

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Bassotti G, Stanghellini V, Chiarioni G, Germani U, De Giorgio R, Vantini I, et al. Upper gastrointestinal motor activity in patients with slow-transit constipation. Further evidence for an enteric neuropathy. Dig Dis Sci 1996;41:1999–2005

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Rao SS, Sadeghi P, Beaty J, Kavlock R, Ackerson K. Ambulatory 24-h colonic manometry in healthy humans. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2001;280:G629–G639

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Ritchie JA. Movement of segmental constrictions in the human colon. Gut 1971;12:350–355

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bassotti G, Germani U, Morelli A. Flatus-related colorectal and anal motor events. Dig Dis Sci 1996;41:335–338

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Herbst F, Kamm MA, Morris GP, Britton K, Woloszko J, Nicholls RJ. Gastrointestinal transit and prolonged ambulatory colonic motility in health and faecal incontinence. Gut 1997;41:381–389

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Wyman JB, Heaton KW, Manning AP, Wicks AC. Variability of colonic function in healthy subjects. Gut 1978;19:146–150

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Furukawa Y, Cook IJ, Panagopoulos V, McEvoy RD, Sharp DJ, Simula M. Relationship between sleep patterns and human colonic motor patterns. Gastroenterology 1994;107:1372–1381

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Wiley J, Tatum D, Keinath R, Chung OY. Participation of gastric mechanoreceptors and intestinal chemoreceptors in the gastrocolonic response. Gastroenterology 1988;94:1144–1149

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Cuche G, Cuber JC, Malbert CH. Ileal short-chain fatty acids inhibit gastric motility by a humoral pathway. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2000;279:G925–G930

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Cherbut C, Ferrier L, Roze C, Anini Y, Blottiere H, Lecannu G et al. Short-chain fatty acids modify colonic motility through nerves and polypeptide YY release in the rat. Am J Physiol 1998;275:G1415–G1422

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Tache Y, Martinez V, Million M, Rivier J. Corticotropin-releasing factor and the brain-gut motor response to stress. Can J Gastroenterol 1999;13 Suppl A:18A–25A

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Rao SS, Hatfield RA, Suls JM, Chamberlain MJ. Psychological and physical stress induce differential effects on human colonic motility. Am J Gastroenterol 1998;93:985–990

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Shafik A, Mostafa RM, Shafik I, Ei-Sibai O, Shafik AA. Functional activity of the rectum: a conduit organ or a storage organ or both? World J Gastroenterol 2006;12:4549–4552

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. van Duijvendijk P, Slors JF, Taat CW, van Tets WF, van Tienhoven G, Obertop H, et al. Prospective evaluation of anorectal function after total mesorectal excision for rectal carcinoma with or without preoperative radiotherapy. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97:2282–2289

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Williams NS, Fajobi OA, Lunniss PJ, Scott SM, Eccersley AJ, Ogunbiyi OA. Vertical reduction rectoplasty: a new treatment for idiopathic megarectum. Br J Surg 2000;87:1203–1208

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Sevcencu C. Electrical stimulation – an evolving concept in the treatment of colonic motor dysfunctions. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2006;18:960–970

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. De Giorgio R, Camilleri M. Human enteric neuropathies: morphology and molecular pathology. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2004;16:515–531

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Smith VV, Lake BD, Kamm MA, Nicholls RJ. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction with deficient smooth muscle alpha-actin. Histopathology 1992;21:535–542

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. De Giorgio R, Sarnelli G, Corinaldesi R, Stanghellini V. Advances in our understanding of the pathology of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Gut 2004;53:1549–1552

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Knowles CH, Silk DB, Darzi A, Veress B, Feakins R, Raimundo AH, et al. Deranged smooth muscle alpha-actin as a biomarker of intestinal pseudo-obstruction: a controlled multinational case series. Gut 2004;53:1583–1589

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Ehrlein HJ, Reich H, Schwinger M. Colonic motility and transit of digesta during hard and soft faeces formation in rabbits. J Physiol 1983;338:75–86

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Emmanuel AV, Kamm MA. Laser Doppler flowmetry as a measure of extrinsic colonic innervation in functional bowel disease. Gut 2000;46:212–217

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Bassotti G, Villanacci V. Slow transit constipation: a functional disorder becomes an enteric neuropathy. World J Gastroenterol 2006;12:4609–4613

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Knowles CH, Martin JE. Slow transit constipation: a model of human gut dysmotility. Review of possible aetiologies. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2000;12:181–196

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Knowles CH, Scott SM, Wellmer A, Misra VP, Pilot MA, Williams NS, et al. Sensory and autonomic neuropathy in patients with idiopathic slow-transit constipation. Br J Surg 1999;86:54–60

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Christensen J. Pathophysiology of the irritable bowel syndrome. Lancet 1992;340:1444–1447

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Nanda R, James R, Smith H, Dudley CR, Jewell DP. Food intolerance and the irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 1989;30:1099–1104

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Chey WD, Cash BD. Irritable bowel syndrome: update on colonic neuromuscular dysfunction and treatment. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2006;8:273–281

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Maxton DG, Prior A, Whorwell PJ. Effect of hyperventilation on distal colonic motility and rectal sensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome Digestion 1991;48:70–74

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Trimble KC, Farouk R, Pryde A, Douglas S, Heading RC. Heightened visceral sensation in functional gastrointestinal disease is not site-specific. Evidence for a generalized disorder of gut sensitivity. Dig Dis Sci 1995;40:1607–1613

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Creed F, Guthrie E, Ratcliffe J, Fernandes L, Rigby C, Tomenson B, et al. Does psychological treatment help only those patients with severe irritable bowel syndrome who also have a concurrent psychiatric disorder? Aust NZJ Psychiatry 2005;39:807–815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Grider JR, Foxx-Orenstein AE. Mediators and regulation of peristalsis. Curr.Opin.Gastroenterol. 1999;15:22–25

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Murray CD, Kamm MA, Bloom SR, Emmanuel AV. Ghrelin for the gastroenterologist: history and potential. Gastroenterology 2003;125:1492–1502

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Furness JB, Costa M. Adynamic ileus, its pathogenesis and treatment. Med Biol 1974;52:82–89

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Bassotti G, Iantorno G, Fiorella S, Bustos-Fernandez L, Bilder CR. Colonic motility in man: features in normal subjects and in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999;94:1760–1770

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Kumar D, Wingate D. An Illustrated Guide to Gastrointestinal Motility, 2nd edn. Churchill-Livingstone, London, 1993; p 438

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. GI Physiology Unit, University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road, NW1 2BU, London, UK

    Kumaran Thiruppathy & Anton Emmanuel

Authors
  1. Kumaran Thiruppathy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anton Emmanuel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Service de Chirurgie Viscérale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Jean-Claude R. Givel

  2. Department of Colorectal Surgery, The John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU, Headington, Oxford, UK

    Neil Mortensen

  3. Responsable de l’Unité de Proctologie, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire de Genève, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, 1211, Genève 14, Switzerland

    Bruno Roche

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Thiruppathy, K., Emmanuel, A. (2010). Colonic Motility and Physiology. In: Givel, JC., Mortensen, N., Roche, B. (eds) Anorectal and Colonic Diseases. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69419-9_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69419-9_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-69418-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-69419-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation