Fundamentals of neurogastroenterology

Current concepts and basic principles of neurogastroenterology in relation to functional gastrointestinal disorders are reviewed, Neurogastroenterolog y is emphasized as a new and advancing subspecialty of clinical gastroenter ology and digestive science, As such, it embraces the investigative science s dealing with functions, malfunctions, and malformations in the brain and spinal cord, and the sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric divisions of the autonomic innervation of the digestive tract. Somatomotor systems are i ncluded insofar as pharyngeal phases of swallowing and pelvic floor involve ment in defecation, continence, and pelvic pain are concerned. Inclusion of basic physiology of smooth muscle, mucosal epithelium, and the enteric imm une system in the neurogastroenterologic domain relates to requirements for compatibility with neural control mechanisms. Psychologic and psychiatric relations to functional gastrointestinal disorders are included because the y are significant components of neurogastroenterology, especially in relati on to projections of discomfort and pain to the digestive tract.