Enteric Nervous System - Poster

MYENTERIC (AUERBACH'S) PLEXUS

SUBMUCOSAL (MEISSNER) PLEXUS

ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Longitudinal and circular smooth muscle laters of the muscularis (motility)

Mucosal epithelium (secretions)

ANS and CNS neurons

Sensory neuron

Motor neuron

Motor neuron

Interneuron

The neurons of the ENS are arranged into the myenteric (between circular and longitudinal muscle layers) and submucosal (within the submucosa) plexuses

The myenteric plexus mostly controls gut motility, particularly the strength and frequency of contraction

The submucosal plexus supplies the secretory cells of the mucosal epithelium, controlling secretions of organs in the GI tract

Chemoreceptors: respond to chemicals in food

Mechanoreceptors: respond to distension of stretch receptors

ENS is regulated by the ANS:

The Vagus nerve supplies parasymphathetic fibres of most of the GI tract.

Last 1/2 of the colon is supplied by fibres from the sacral spinal cord (Pelvic nerve)

Sympathetic Innervation:

Foregut - Celiac

Midgut - Sup. mesenteric

Hindgut - Inf. mesenteric