Enteric nervous system
Vital system controlling the gastrointestinal tract / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The enteric nervous system (ENS) or intrinsic nervous system is one of the three main divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the other being the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), and consists of a mesh-like system of neurons that governs the function of the gastrointestinal tract.[1] It is capable of acting independently of the SNS and PSNS, although it may be influenced by them. The ENS is nicknamed the "second brain".[2][3] It is derived from neural crest cells.[4][5]
Enteric nervous system | |
---|---|
Identifiers | |
Acronym(s) | ENS |
MeSH | D017615 |
FMA | 66070 |
Anatomical terminology |
The enteric nervous system is capable of operating independently of the brain and spinal cord,[6] but is thought to rely on innervation from the vagus nerve and prevertebral ganglia in healthy subjects. However, studies have shown that the system is operable with a severed vagus nerve.[7] The neurons of the enteric nervous system control the motor functions of the system, in addition to the secretion of gastrointestinal enzymes. These neurons communicate through many neurotransmitters similar to the CNS, including acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin. The large presence of serotonin and dopamine in the intestines are key areas of research for neurogastroenterology.[8][9][10]