Exploring Intestinal Movements and Smooth Muscle Electrical Activities

The small intestine undergoes three types of movements: segmentation, peristalsis, and pendular movements.

Peristalsis is a coordinated contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles that propels the contents through the gastrointestinal tract. It is initiated by a wave of contraction that moves along the length of the intestine.

The movements in the large intestine include haustral contractions, which propel the contents from one haustrum to another, and mass movements, which move larger quantities of feces towards the rectum.

<p>The electrical activities in smooth muscle include slow-wave rhythm of resting membrane potential, spike potential, spike potential initiated by slow wave rhythm, and action potential with plateau.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The resting membrane potential in smooth muscle is very unstable and ranges between -50 and -75 mV.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A rhythmic potential with a frequency of 4 to 10 per minute and an amplitude of 10 to 15 mV</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stellate mesenchymal pacemaker cells called interstitial cells of Cajal</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Resting membrane potential</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>4 to 10 per minute</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>10 to 15 mV</p> Signup and view all the answers