Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

In Vitro Recording of Mesenteric Afferent Nerve Activity in Mouse Jejunal and Colonic Segments
Published on: October 25, 2016
Structure-function relationship of sensory endings in the gut and bladder
Vladimir P Zagorodnyuk1, Simon J H Brookes, Nick J Spencer
1Department of Human Physiology & Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. vladimir.zagorodnyuk@flinders.edu.au
Visceral afferent nerve endings in the gut and bladder were studied. Their morphology correlates with function, aiding in distinguishing sensory neuron types for better diagnosis and treatment of visceral sensory dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Urology
Background:
- Visceral afferents transmit sensory information from organs to the central nervous system.
- Understanding visceral sensory neurons is crucial for diagnosing and treating visceral sensory dysfunction.
- Current knowledge lacks a comprehensive account of different functional types of visceral sensory neurons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the morphology of visceral afferent nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract and urinary bladder.
- To correlate nerve ending morphology with functional properties of visceral afferents.
- To enhance the understanding of different functional classes of visceral sensory neurons.
Main Methods:
- Morphological studies of nerve endings in the gut and bladder.
- Physiological recordings from visceral afferents.
- Correlation of morphological and physiological data.
Main Results:
- Distinct morphologies of visceral afferent nerve endings were identified in the gut and bladder.
- Morphology of mechanosensitive endings correlated with their physiological function.
- This correlation aids in distinguishing functional classes of visceral afferents.
Conclusions:
- Morphological analysis of visceral afferent nerve endings provides insights into their functional properties.
- This approach enhances the ability to differentiate functional classes of visceral sensory neurons.
- Findings contribute to understanding and potentially treating visceral sensory dysfunction.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra
Urinary Bladder
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
The Micturition Reflex
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
Sensory Functions of the Skin
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
Neural Regulation
Somatosensation

