Self-study Guide on Esophagus and Stomach

Department of Physiology
Must-Know Concept 1: Basic Electrical Rhythm

Objective: Understand the physiological basis of the integrated and coordinated GI

motility

I. Pre-requisite Knowledge: Ionic Basis of Excitability (Action Potential)

A. What is plotted on the X-axis of the graph?

B. What is plotted on the Y-axis of the graph?
C. Explain why the wave labeled as A is not an action potential.
D. Define threshold potential (labeled B)?
E. Which cation is responsible for the part labeled C?
F. If the membrane potential becomes more positive (upward), is it depolarization or
repolarization?
G. If the membrane potential becomes more negative (downward), is it
depolarization or repolarization?

II. Basic Electrical Rhythm (BER), spontaneous rhythmic fluctuations in

membrane potential (between -65 to -45 mV)

Which cells of the GI tract generate BER?

Where are these cells located?
Why are they referred to as “pacemaker cells”?
BER in the GI smooth muscles. Note the spontaneous depolarization and
repolarizations. BER are electrical signals that rarely leads to muscle contraction.

TRUE or FALSE. Depolarization in BER is due to sodium influx (Blue arrow).

TRUE or FALSE. Repolarization in BER is due to potassium influx (Red arrow).

YES or NO. Is there BER in the esophagus?

YES or NO. Is there BER in the stomach?

Compare the rates of BER in the following segments of the GI tract:

Duodenum BER- 12/min

Distal ileum- 8/min
Colon (cecum)- 2/min
Colon (sigmoid)- 6/min
Esophagus- ?
III. BER and GI Smooth Muscles Contraction

Take note of the spike potentials (blue arrow) superimposed on the most
depolarizing portions of BER.

What is the effect of acetylcholine (parasympathetic control) on the

frequency of spike potentials on the BER?
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What is the effect of epinephrine (sympathetic control) on the frequency of

spike potentials of the BER?
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Explain:
Pure BER does not lead to GI smooth muscle contraction. Spike potentials
GI smooth muscle tension (contraction)
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What is the crucial function of BER based on the finding below?

“After vagotomy or transection of the stomach wall, peristalsis in the

stomach becomes irregular and chaotic”

Therefore, BER coordinates peristalsis and other GI motor activity.