The Motility of the Gastrointestinal Tract

James Christensen, M.D.
The University of Iowa College of Medicine
Iowa City, Iowa

Table of Contents

Preface Chapter I Gastrointestinal Motility: a Perspective

1. Introduction
2. Origin of Gastrointestinal Motor Functions
3. Relation of Structures to Motor Functions
4. Comparative Physiology and Anatomy
5. Methods in Gastrointestinal Motility

1. Introduction
2. Oropharyngeal Transit
3. Esophageal Transit
4. Gastric Transit: Filling and Emptying
5. Transit in the Small Intestine
6. Transit in the Biliary System
7. Transit in the Large Intestine and Anorectum

1. Introduction
2. The General Plan
   1. The Muscular Components
   2. The Neural Components
   3. Synapses
   4. Interstitial Cells
3. Motor Structure of the Oropharynx and Upper Esophageal Sphincter
4. Motor Structure of the Esophagus and Lower Esophageal Sphincter
5. Motor Structure of the Stomach and Pylorus
6. Motor Structure of the Small Intestine
7. Motor Structure of the Biliary Tract
8. Motor Structure of the Large Intestine and Anorectum

1. Introduction
2. The Craniosacral Innervation
   1. Anatomy
   2. Function
3. The Thoracolumbar Innervation
   1. Anatomy
   2. Function

1. Introduction
2. Origin of Rhythmicity
3. Origin of Slow Waves
4. Origin of Tone

1. Introduction
2. Fasting
3. Sleep
4. Nausea and Vomiting
5. Stress

1. Introduction
2. Behavior of the Pharynx and Esophagus at Rest
   1. Striated Muscle Regions
   2. Smooth Muscle Regions
3. Behavior of the Pharynx and Esophagus in Swallowing
   1. Striated Muscle Regions
   2. Smooth Muscle Regions
4. Underlying Neural and Muscular Physiology
   1. Central Organization of Swallowing
   2. Control of the Pharynx, Parapharyngeal Muscles, Upper Esophageal Sphincter, and Rostral (Striated Muscle) Part of the Esophageal Body
   3. Control of the Caudal (Smooth Muscle) Part of the Esophageal Body and Lower Esophageal Sphincter

1. Introduction
2. Regions of the Stomach
3. Proximal Stomach
   1. Contractions
   2. Regulation of Contractions
   3. Function of Contractions
4. Distal Stomach
   1. Contractions
   2. Regulation of Contractions
   3. Function of Contractions
5. Pylorus
   1. Contractions
   2. Regulation of Contractions
   3. Function of Contractions

1. Introduction
2. Separate Actions of the Three Muscle Layers
3. Peristalsis Considered as a Two-dimensional Event
4. Peristalsis Considered as a Three-Dimensional Event
5. Contractions as Inferred from Intraluminal Pressures
6. Patterns of Contractions
7. Regulation of Contractions
8. Functions of Contractions

1. Introduction
2. Gallbladder
3. Common Bile Duct
4. Sphincter of Oddi

1. Introduction
2. Rhythmic Contractions as Studied Directly
   1. Right Colon and Cecum
   2. Left Colon and Sigmoid
   3. Rectum and Anal Canal
3. Rhythmic Contractions as Inferred from Intraluminal Pressures
   1. Non-Propagating Activity in the Colon
   2. Propagating Activity in the Colon
   3. Rectal Function
4. Tonic Contractions
5. Neurogenic Control of Contractions
6. Defecation

1. Introduction
2. Organ-Specific Disorders
   1. Dysfunction of Pharyngoesophageal Striated Muscle
   2. Dysfunction of Esophageal Smooth Muscle
   3. Postoperative Gastric Motor Dysfunction
   4. Motor Dysfunction of the Biliary Tract
   5. Motor Dysfunction of the Small Intestine
   6. Motor Dysfunction of the Colon
3. Generalized or Systemic Disorders Affecting Motility in Several Organs
   1. Diabetes Mellitus
   2. Scleroderma and Related Disorders
4. Functional Disorders
   1. Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
   2. The Irritable Bowel Syndrome
   3. Miscellaneous Unexplained Gastrointestinal Symptoms