The enteric nervous system

Of all the organ systems in the body, the gastrointestinal tract is the most complicated in terms of the numbers of structures involved, each with different functions, and the numbers and types of signaling molecules utilized. The digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, electrolytes, and water occurs in a hostile luminal environment that contains a large and diverse microbiota. At the core of regulatory control of the digestive and defensive functions of the gastrointestinal tract is the enteric nervous system (ENS), a complex system of neurons and glia in the gut wall. In this review, we discuss 1) the intrinsic neural control of gut functions involved in digestion and 2) how the ENS interacts with the…

• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research

  Award: FDN148380
• NI
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

  Award: DK113800
• NC
  National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

  Award: R21AT011203