Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm01:19

Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm

7.8K
The normal cardiac rhythm is a synchronized electrical activity that facilitates the regular and coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. This process is essential for efficient blood circulation throughout the body. The fundamental elements involved in establishing and maintaining this rhythm include the unique electrical properties of cardiac muscle cells, the sinoatrial (SA) node's pacemaker function, the specialized conducting system, and the ionic mechanisms underlying each phase...
7.8K
Propagation of Action Potentials01:23

Propagation of Action Potentials

15.2K
The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
15.2K
Histology of the Small Intestine01:27

Histology of the Small Intestine

4.9K
The small intestine exhibits a unique histological structure that significantly enhances its function in digestion and nutrient absorption. These structures include circular folds, villi, and various specialized cells that collectively facilitate the digestion of food.
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
4.9K
Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

9.9K
Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
9.9K
Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

112.5K
Overview
112.5K
Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells01:23

Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells

2.7K
The intestinal epithelial lining rapidly renews every 4 to 5 days. The renewal is facilitated by intestinal stem cells (ISCs) located at the base of the crypt– a gland located at the bottom of each villus. ISCs divide asymmetrically to form new stem cells and progenitor daughter cells. The daughter cells are called transit-amplifying (TA) cells which move upwards along the crypt and either differentiate into absorptive cells– the enterocytes or secretory cells– including the...
2.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Arrhythmias in the gut.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2013
Same author

Rapid high-amplitude circumferential slow wave propagation during normal gastric pacemaking and dysrhythmias.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2012
Same author

High-resolution spatial analysis of slow wave initiation and conduction in porcine gastric dysrhythmia.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2011
Same author

Emerging excellence in neurogastroenterology and motility research in the Arabian Peninsula.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2010
Same author

Origin, propagation and regional characteristics of porcine gastric slow wave activity determined by high-resolution mapping.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2010
Same author

Mapping slow waves and spikes in chronically instrumented conscious dogs: implantation techniques and recordings.

Medical & biological engineering & computing·2006

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

In Vitro Characterization of the Electrophysiological Properties of Colonic Afferent Fibers in Rats
08:19

In Vitro Characterization of the Electrophysiological Properties of Colonic Afferent Fibers in Rats

Published on: September 27, 2017

6.6K

Normal and abnormal electrical propagation in the small intestine.

W J E P Lammers1

  • 1Departments of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

Acta Physiologica (Oxford, England)
|August 27, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Interstitial cells of Cajal generate slow waves in the small intestine, which trigger action potentials responsible for contractions. High-resolution mapping reveals novel re-entry mechanisms, suggesting new gut pathologies.

Keywords:
abnormal propagationre-entryslow wave propagationspike propagation

More Related Videos

In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings
14:09

In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings

Published on: January 21, 2015

9.4K
Two-dimensional Porcine Intestinal Organoids Reflecting the Physiological Properties of Native Gut
09:13

Two-dimensional Porcine Intestinal Organoids Reflecting the Physiological Properties of Native Gut

Published on: January 31, 2025

1.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 25, 2026

In Vitro Characterization of the Electrophysiological Properties of Colonic Afferent Fibers in Rats
08:19

In Vitro Characterization of the Electrophysiological Properties of Colonic Afferent Fibers in Rats

Published on: September 27, 2017

6.6K
In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings
14:09

In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings

Published on: January 21, 2015

9.4K
Two-dimensional Porcine Intestinal Organoids Reflecting the Physiological Properties of Native Gut
09:13

Two-dimensional Porcine Intestinal Organoids Reflecting the Physiological Properties of Native Gut

Published on: January 31, 2025

1.2K

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Neurogastroenterology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Small intestinal motility relies on electrical activity in smooth muscle layers.
  • Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the myenteric plexus generate electrical slow waves.
  • Slow waves initiate action potentials (spikes) that cause muscle contraction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review slow wave and spike propagation patterns in the small intestine.
  • To analyze propagation blocks and frequency changes along the intestine.
  • To explore novel arrhythmias, specifically re-entry mechanisms, in the small intestine.

Main Methods:

  • Simultaneous recording from numerous extracellular electrodes.
  • High-resolution mapping of electrical signals.
  • Review of existing literature on intestinal electrical activity and arrhythmias.

Main Results:

  • Slow wave propagation characteristics and blocks were detailed.
  • Specific spike propagation patterns following slow waves were identified.
  • Various types of re-entry phenomena, including functional and circumferential re-entry, were described in the small intestine.

Conclusions:

  • High-resolution mapping is crucial for understanding gut arrhythmias.
  • Re-entry mechanisms in the small intestine, some unique, have been identified.
  • These findings suggest potential for previously unrecognized small intestinal pathologies.