Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Motility in Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intestines
Published on: January 27, 2016
Motility disorders of the colon and rectum
1University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. axw@medicine.wisc.edu
Purpose Of Review:
The major motor functions of the large bowel include storage, propulsion and defecation. New developments continue to expand our knowledge of this area and provide significant advances in the treatment of disorders of colorectal motility.
Recent Findings:
This article reviews new techniques to study colon motility and transit in health and constipation, recent published data which support the efficacy of novel and established laxatives for both functional and opioid-induced constipation, the development of neuromodulatory techniques for severe constipation and new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of levator syndrome.
Summary:
The articles referenced in this review inform the reader of new developments in understanding and treating disorders of colonic and anorectal motility and anticipate future advances.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Diverticular Disease of the Colon
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This makes...
