MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

ABDOMINAL

GASTROINTESTINAL

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
What are the pacemaker cells of the gastrointestinal tract?
A
Enteric plexus neurons
B
Neurons of the myenteric plexus (Auerbach)
C
Submucosal plexus neurons (Meissner)
D
interstitial cells of Cajal
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are the pacemaker cells in the gut. They have special properties that make them unique in their ability to generate and propagate slow waves in gastrointestinal muscles.

Detailed explanation-2: -Interstitial cells of Cajal of the circular muscle (ICC-CM) are the cell types found in the circular muscle. These are mainly bipolar cells or spindle-shaped cells associated with the long axis of the surrounding smooth muscle cells. These cells do not form their own network.

Detailed explanation-3: -Specialized cells known as interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are distributed in specific locations within the tunica muscularis of the gastrointestinal tract and serve as electrical pacemakers, active propagation pathways for slow waves, and mediators of enteric motor neurotransmission.

Detailed explanation-4: -Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are important players in the symphony of gut motility. They have a very significant physiological role orchestrating the normal peristaltic activity of the digestive system. They are the pacemaker cells in gastrointestinal (GI) muscles.

Detailed explanation-5: -Interstitial cells of cajal as pacemakers in the gastrointestinal tract.

There is 1 question to complete.