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Cited by 274Gastrointestinal motility and disordersPain Mechanisms and TreatmentsIon Channels and Receptors

Neuroanatomy of extrinsic afferents supplying the gastrointestinal tract

Berthoud, H. R., Blackshaw, L. A., Brookes, S. J. H., Grundy, D.·2004·Neurogastroenterology & Motility
DOI 10.1111/j.1743-3150.2004.00471.x
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Abstract

Here we discuss the neuroanatomy of extrinsic gastrointestinal (GI) afferent neurones, the relationship between structure and function and the role of afferents in disease. Three pathways connect the gut to the central nervous system: vagal afferents signal mainly from upper GI regions, pelvic afferents mainly from the colorectal region and splanchnic afferents from throughout. Vagal afferents mediate reflex regulation of gut function and behaviour, operating mainly at physiological levels. There are two major functional classes − tension receptors, responding to muscular contraction and distension, and mucosal receptors. The function of vagal endings correlates well with their anatomy: tracing studies show intramuscular arrays (IMAs) and intraganglionic laminar endings (IGLEs); IGLEs are now known to respond to tension. Functional mucosal receptors correlate with endings traced to the lamina propria. Pelvic afferents serve similar functions to vagal afferents, and additionally mediate both innocuous and noxious sensations. Splanchnic afferents comprise mucosal and stretch‐sensitive afferents with low thresholds in addition to high‐threshold serosal/mesenteric afferents suggesting diverse roles. IGLEs, probably of pelvic origin, have been identified recently in the rectum and respond similarly to gastric vagal IGLEs. Gastrointestinal afferents may be sensitized or inhibited by chemical mediators released from several cell types. Whether functional changes have anatomical correlates is not known, but it is likely that they underlie diseases involving visceral hypersensitivity.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1743-3150.2004.00471.x

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  • Vagal afferents are thought to be polymodal, responding to mechanical, chemical or hormonal signals.

    “Due to the vast variety of receptors expressed on vagal afferents, they are thought to be polymodal, in that they respond to a variety of signals which are mechanical, chemical or hormonal in nature (Berthoud et al., 2004).”

    From The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (2019) · cites this paper as Berthoud et al., 2004

  • The ANS conveys physiological conditions in the gut, such as acidity, levels of nutrients, osmolarity and pain, to the brain.

    “The ANS conveys physiological conditions in the gut, such as acidity, levels of nutrients, osmolarity and pain, to the brain49.”

    From The gut microbiota and the brain–gut–kidney axis in hypertension and chronic kidney disease (2018) · cites this paper as [49]

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Authors
Berthoud, H. R., Blackshaw, L. A., Brookes, S. J. H., & Grundy, D.
Affiliations
  • Pennington Biomedical Research Center (US)
  • Royal Adelaide Hospital (AU)
  • Flinders University (AU)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
Corresponding author
Berthoud, H. R.
ORCID
Venue
Neurogastroenterology & Motility
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2004-04
Volume
16
Issue
s1
Pages
28-33
ISSN
  • 1350-1925 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2982
DOI
10.1111/j.1743-3150.2004.00471.x
OpenAlex
W1972094807
Cited by
274
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 20
FWCI
2.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 5 d)
Locations
  • Neurogastroenterology & Motility (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
  • Flinders Academic Commons (Flinders University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Ion Channels and Receptors
Keywords
neuroanatomy, vagal afferents, splanchnic afferents, tension receptors, visceral hypersensitivity, visceral sensation
MeSH terms
Animals, Digestive System, Humans, Nerve Endings, Neuronal Plasticity, Enteric Nervous System, Visceral Afferents

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