Anatomy

Enteric Nervous System

Two ganglionated neural plexuses in the gut wall which form one of the three major divisions of the autonomic nervous system. The enteric nervous system innervates the gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas, and the gallbladder. It contains sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. Thus the circuitry can autonomously sense the tension and the chemical environment in the gut and regulate blood vessel tone, motility, secretions, and fluid transport. The system is itself governed by the central nervous system and receives both parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation. (From Kandel, Schwartz, and Jessel, Principles of Neural Science, 3d ed, p766)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Two ganglionated neural plexuses in the gut wall which form one of the three major divisions of the autonomic nervous system. The enteric nervous system innervates the gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas, and the gallbladder. It contains sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. Thus the circuitry can autonomously sense the tension and the chemical environment in the gut and regulate blood vessel tone, motility, secretions, and fluid transport. The system is itself governed by the central nervous system and receives both parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation. (From Kandel, Schwartz, and Jessel, Principles of Neural Science, 3d ed, p766)

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Synonyms

5 entry terms
  • Enteric Nervous Systems
  • Nervous System, Enteric
  • Nervous Systems, Enteric
  • System, Enteric Nervous
  • Systems, Enteric Nervous

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Aspects Covered

22 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, ultrastructure, virology.

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Indexing Annotation

a major division of the autonomic nerv syst

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History Note

94

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Tree Number

  1. A08w.800w.050w.150w

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References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Enteric Nervous System. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D017615. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D017615
  2. Enteric Nervous System. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_nervous_system
  3. Enteric Nervous System. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q586582