Intramural ganglia and mechanism of peristalsis

Abstract

Whole segments of the gastrointestinal tract when removed from the body and maintained in physiological solutions can perform complex and coordinated contractile activity. The basis for this is the myogenic properties of smooth muscle described in the previous chapter. However, the wall of the gastrointestinal tract contains an extensive network of ganglia and nerve fibres (the intramural or intrinsic plexus) which function independently of the autonomic nervous system and contributes to the contractile activity seen in vitro. The myogenic properties can only be seen when conduction in the intramural nerves is blocked chemically by treating with tetrodotoxin or physically by separating the muscle from the ganglia.