Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2026

In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings
Published on: January 21, 2015
Sensory mechanisms: transmitters, modulators and reflexes
H E Raybould1, H J Cooke, F L Christofi
1Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA. heraybould@ucdavis.edu
Abstract:
The enteric nervous system in combination with inputs from parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves regulate the contractile, secretory and vasomotor activity of the gastrointestinal track via neural reflexes. Sensory elements which may be present in specialized neurones, enteroendocrine cells or mast cells detect changes in force, chemical composition or even foreign antigens. Sensory elements signal the enteric nervous system to correct these changes by altering contractile activity, secretion and blood flow. Advances have been made in understanding the sensory mechanisms that are involved in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release from enterochromaffin cells (EC) or a model for EC cells. These advances relate to roles for ATP and its metabolites ADP and adenosine in mechanotransduction and a role for a sodium glucose cotransporter, a SGLT-like protein, in chemotransduction.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
What is a Sensory System?
Somatosensation
Sensory Modalities
General senses refer to the broad category of sensory information detected by receptors in the body and can be further grouped into somatic and visceral senses. Somatic sensations include touch, pressure, temperature, and pain and are essential for navigating our environment and...
Reflex Activity
A reflex exam is a diagnostic procedure performed by a healthcare professional to evaluate the functionality of a patient's...
Somatic Spinal Reflexes
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...
Introduction to Special Senses

