Chapter 5

The Mechanical System: Motor Patterns in Organs

Hans Gregersen and James Christensen

Abstract

The mechanical systems of the gut must move nutrients in whatever complex ways may be necessary in each situation for digestive and absorptive processes to be complete. The mechanical processes vary from one species to another but they differ mainly in quantitative rather than qualitative terms. This chapter deals with the movements of the gastrointestinal musculature throughout the tract. Most of these patterns of motion are inferred rather that observed directly, for the available methods rarely permit the direct and detailed observation of the muscular behavior in vivo.

Total Pages: 173-214 (42)

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