Which of the following is the origin of electrical slow wave activity in gastrointestinal tract smooth muscle?
High-Yield Explanation
Ans. A. The interstitial cells of Cajala. Electrical slow wave activity in the gastrointestinal tract appears to originate from specialized pacemaker cells (interstitial cells of Cajal) located between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers and within the submucosal and myenteric plexuses.b. These pacemaker cells input directly onto the smooth muscle and receive input from enteric nerves.c. Rhythmic, phasic contractions are characteristic of the gastric antrum and the small and large intestines.