Nervous Control of the GIT

 

  • GIT is a self-regulating system of organs that apart from the initial stages of swallowing there is no further voluntary activity involved until defecation
  • This highly sophisticated regulatory system requires coordination of motor, secretory, digestive and absorptive functions

Enteric nervous system

 
  • Forms part of the autonomic nervous system with both extrinsic and intrinsic control
  • Intrinsic located within the gut wall and with localised roles within gut segments
  • Extrinsic contol via both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system and modulates the activity of the enteric neural system