The possible mechanisms that may be involved in nutrient detection in the wall of the
gastrointestinal tract are reviewed. There is strong functional and electrophysiological …

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract must balance ostensibly opposite functions. On the one hand,
it must undertake the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients. At the same time, the …

Most afferent signals from the viscera do not give rise to conscious experience and yet they
participate in the complex neural control of visceral functions. Surprisingly little information is …

The chemical environment of the intestinal lumen and the presence of nutrients in the gut
result in the secretion of regulatory peptides and in the discharge of intestinal sensory …

Extrinsic sensory neurons play a key role in the function of the gastrointestinal tract. They are
responsible for the sensations that arise in the gut and can initiate automatic reflexes. In …

Visceral sensory neurons activate reflex pathways that control gut function and also give rise
to important sensations, such as fullness, bloating, nausea, discomfort, urgency and pain …

The gastrointestinal tract is the only internal organ to have evolved with its own independent
nervous system, known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). This Review provides an …

Physiological gut stimuli during the digestive process are not normally perceived. However,
gut stimuli activate a variety of afferent pathways and in some circumstances may induce …

Physiological stimuli in the gut induce regulatory reflexes to accomplish the digestive
process, but are normally not perceived. However, under some circumstances, gut stimuli …

Although many physiologic stimuli in the healthy gastrointestinal tract are not usually
associated with conscious perception, it is likely that several symptoms in patients with …