ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE MOTILITY OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

Abstract

The action potentials of the small intestine and stomach were recorded during pendular and segmenting movements and during peristalsis. The potentials are interpreted as impulses conducted within the syncytial musculature. Usually each contraction is accompanied by a burst of impulses like a tetanic contraction of skeletal muscle. The frequency of discharge varies from 1 per sec. in the stomach to 10 per sec. in the small intestine of the rabbit during a peristaltic rush. Gradation of contractions is possible by variations in the number and frequency of impulses and by participation of different fractions of the whole musculature of the organ.