MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -The gastroileal reflex is stimulated by the presence of food in the stomach and gastric peristalsis. Initiation of the reflex causes peristalsis in the ileum and the opening of the ileocecal valve (which allows the emptying of the ileal contents into the large intestine, or colon).

Detailed explanation-2: -The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) stimulates peristalsis via the myenteric plexus. The afferent (sensory) nerves of the myenteric plexus deliver information to interneurons within the plexus. Interneurons communicate with efferent nerves, stimulating an action potential (spike-wave) within smooth muscle cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -The gastroileal reflex is a third type of gastrointestinal reflex. It works with the gastrocolic reflex to stimulate the urge to defecate. This urge is stimulated by the opening of the ileocecal valve and the movement of the digested contents from the ileum of the small intestine into the colon for compaction.

Detailed explanation-4: -Each time a peristaltic wave reaches it, it opens briefly, permitting some of the ileal chyme to squirt into the cecum. When food leaves the stomach, the cecum relaxes and the passage of chyme through the ileocecal valve increases (gastroileal reflex).

Detailed explanation-5: -The gastrocolic reflex allows room for the consumption of more food via control over peristalsis and movement of ingested food distally toward the rectum. Myoelectric recordings demonstrate the reflex in the large intestine that shows a spike in electrical activity within minutes of food consumption.