Gastric Sensation Research Articles

Functional Distortions of the Gastric Contour

Medical science has in the last few years shown a marked trend toward a physiologic phase. This tendency is found in the scientific or research laboratory, where the effort is made to find physiologic phenomena which are contributing factors in producing a symptom-complex ordinarily indicative of organic pathology. It is also seen in the clinical laboratory, where the purpose of each examination is an attempt to arrive at some conclusion regarding the individual patient. The art or science of radiology has logically and of necessity partaken of this type of study. The comparative ease with which some organs of the body can be studied by roentgen examination stimulates the effort to interpret physiologic function rather than merely to attempt to diagnose or locate definite organic lesions or to indicate an exact pathology. The stomach is not only an important organ in the consideration of the individual's comfort and well being, but is also peculiarly adaptable in that it permits of study on the living patient with a minimum amount of discomfort. The various methods of determining function in the pathologic or physiologic laboratory can in a large measure be checked or controlled in the roentgen examination, by screen and film, in the course of which errors in size, contour, and muscular activity are easily demonstrated. The value of this study is obvious if due consideration is given the fact that all gastric symptoms express a disarrangement of function and may occur in the presence or absence of organic disease, for the main element in the production of gastric sensation is muscular tension. An understanding of the various phases of muscular tension as shown by types of motility and contour, calls for an understanding of gastric innervation, not only afferent and efferent, but sympathetic as well. There appears to be some disagreement among the anatomists regarding the exact efferent response to a given afferent stimulus. However, it seems probable that there are two separate and possibly quite distinct nerve tracts that are responsible for muscular tone and action in response to, or sometimes irrespective of, a given stimulus. It is apparent that purely local reflexes do occur in the stomach wall. The intrinsic ganglia are probably concerned, though the exact neurological mechanism is not known. Also, an efferent-afferent nerve phenomenon may result from a connection with the cerebrospinal axis. Sensory impulses from the stomach wall pass through the vagus (cells of origin in the ganglion nodosum) to the nucleus solitarius in the medulla. There an association neuron carries impulse to the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in the medulla. Motor impulse from this site is carried through the vagus to the intrinsic ganglia in the stomach wall. This stimulation or nerve impulse excites peristalsis.

On gastric sensation

The Journal of PhysiologyVolume 41, Issue 5 p. 409-415 ArticleFree Access On gastric sensation F. R. Miller, F. R. MillerSearch for more papers by this author F. R. Miller, F. R. MillerSearch for more papers by this author First published: 31 December 1910 https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1910.sp001410Citations: 12AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume41, Issue5December 31, 1910Pages 409-415 RelatedInformation