GIT-REFLEXES

SUMMARY

1. Gastro-colic reflex: increase in colonic activity after ingestion of food. Cholinergically mediated reflex.

2. Colo-colonic reflex: causes muscles above the dilatation to contsrict and muscles below to relax, propelling food forward. Generated by the myenteric plexus.

3. Recto-colic reflex: colonic peristalsis in response to chemical/mechanical stimulation of the rectum/anal canal. Mediated by the pelvic nerve.

4. Ano-rectal reflex: involuntary relaxation of the internal anal sphincter as stool passes into the rectum.

Reference(s)

Barrett, K.E., Barman, S.M., Boitano, S., Brooks, H.L., Weitz, M., Brian Patrick Kearns, Ganong, W.F. and Mcgraw-Hill Education (Firm (2016). Ganong’s review of medical physiology. 25th ed. New York: Mcgraw Hill Education.
Hall, J.E. and Hall, M.E. (2020). Guyton And Hall Textbook Of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. S.L.: Elsevier - Health Science.
West, J.B. and Luks, A.M. (2021). West’s Pulmonary Pathophysiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.