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 Experiment Videos

Small intestinal motility: normal and abnormal function.

V Fiorenza1, Y S Yee, A M Zfass

  • 1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.

The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|November 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Single-center results from the first 100 robotic ureteral reimplantation in children: analysis of learning curve effects.

Frontiers in surgery·2025
Same author

From open to robotic surgery in pediatric ureteral reimplantation: overcoming the learning curve for improved outcomes.

Frontiers in surgery·2025
Same author

Robot-assisted uretero-ureterostomy.

Journal of pediatric urology·2025
Same author

Robotic ureteral reimplantation and uretero-ureterostomy treating the ureterovesical junction pathologies in children: technical considerations and preliminary results.

Journal of robotic surgery·2022
Same author

Performance characteristics of optical coherence tomography in assessment of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer: systematic review.

Diseases of the esophagus : official journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus·2017
Same author

Giant calcified thoracic herniated disc: considerations aiming a proper surgical strategy.

Journal of neurosurgical sciences·2009
Same journal

Calendar of Courses, Symposiums and Conferences.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2026
Same journal

Molecular Nonendoscopic Tests for the Early Detection of Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma and High-Grade Dysplasia: Promising Progress.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2026
Same journal

ACG Clinical Guideline: Colonic Diverticulitis.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2026
Same journal

Continuing Medical Education Questions: July 2026.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2026
Same journal

Continuing Medical Education Questions: July 2026.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2026
Same journal

2026 CME Information.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2026
See all related articles

This review details intestinal smooth muscle function, focusing on calcium-mediated contraction and relaxation mechanisms. Understanding these processes, including peristalsis and migrating motor complexes, aids in managing motility disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Physiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Intestinal smooth muscle controls digestion through coordinated contraction and relaxation.
  • Calcium ions are central to regulating both tonic and phasic muscle activity.
  • Electrical activity, including slow waves and spike potentials, drives phasic contractions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the properties and function of intestinal smooth muscle.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying intestinal muscle contraction and relaxation.
  • To connect basic science understanding to clinical applications in motility disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on intestinal smooth muscle physiology.
  • Analysis of cellular mechanisms of calcium regulation in smooth muscle.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of electrical and mechanical coupling in intestinal motility.

    • Main Results:

    • Both tonic and phasic contractions depend on intracellular calcium increases.
    • Phasic contractions are initiated by electrical slow waves and spike potentials.
    • Neurotransmitters, hormones, and drugs modulate muscle activity and calcium levels.
    • Peristalsis involves coordinated descending relaxation and ascending contraction.
    • The migrating motor complex clears the intestine between meals.

    Conclusions:

    • Understanding intestinal smooth muscle function is crucial for diagnosing and treating motility disorders.
    • Calcium signaling pathways are key targets for therapeutic interventions.
    • Further research into the electrical and mechanical properties of intestinal muscle will improve patient care.