Sistema nervioso entérico y motilidad gastrointestinal

Intestinal motility is dependent upon a specialized interaction of several elements, integrated in the enteric nervous system (ENS). This is the most complex part of the peripheral nervous system. It originates from the neural crest and it gives rise to two nervous plexuses; the submucosal (Meissner) and the myenteric (Auerbach). These contain an organized network of neurons; intrinsic primary afferent neurons: motor neurons, interneurons, and intestinofugal afferent neurons, which interact with the interstitial cells of Cajal originating motor patterns which regulate intestinal motility. Although ENS can generate coordinated responses by itself, it has a significant interaction with the central nervous system. In addition, there is a relation with the immunologic system, due to the involved mediators. We review the origins, structure, and function of the enteric nervous system, its components and their direct effects on intestinal motility.