Motor
functions
of the stomach
Dr. Khaled Ibrahim
a. Enumerate the motor functions of the stomach.
b. Describe the propulsive movements of the stomach and
discuss their significance.
c. Describe hunger pains and discuss their mechanism.
d. Describe gastric emptying and discuss its physiological
regulation and different factors affecting it.
e. Describe vomiting and list its possible causes.
• Text book of Medical Physiology by Guyton and Hall 12th Edition, PAGE 765 –768.
• Ganong's review of Medical Physiology 24th edition, Page 502-504.
Motor Functions of the Stomach
1) Storage Functions
 The volume of empty stomach is 50 ml but when food enters
stomach fundus and upper portion of body relax (Receptive
Relaxation) ing its volume up to 1.5 L without a marked  in
pressure.
 Mechanism: this relaxation is mediated by purinergic inhibitory
vagal fibers and initiated by movements of pharynx and esophagus
during swallowing.
2) Mixing Movements (Peristalsis):
2) Mixing Movements (Peristalsis):
Definition:
Weak peristaltic waves that move along gastric wall pylorus.
Mechanism:
 These waves are controlled by basal electrical rhythm (BER).
 BER is a wave of depolarization & repolarization originating from pace-maker
cell at a rate of one/ 20 sec.
 The wave can't produce contraction but needs neural or hormonal factors 
potential can reach threshold level contraction.
 The frequency of BER is :
-  ed by gastrin, vagal stimulation and gastric distension.
-  ed by symp. stimulation, duodenal distension, fats, and acids.
Pyloric
valve
closed
1 Propulsion: Peristaltic
waves move from the
fundus toward the
pylorus.
Pyloric
valve
closed
2 Grinding: The most
vigorous peristalsis and
mixing action occur
close to the pylorus.
Pyloric
valve
slightly
opened
3 Retropulsion: The pyloric
end of the stomach acts as a
pump that delivers small
amounts of chyme into the
duodenum, simultaneously
forcing most of its contained
material backward into the
stomach.
Description and Function:
 Filled stomach  contraction wave that mix food with gastric
secretion, and move mixed contents toward the antrum (i.e.
Propulsion).
 When gastric contents reach to closed sphincter, the contents move
back toward body of stomach (i.e. Retropulsion).
 After sometimes, pyloric sphincter open passing a small amount of
most fluidly part of contents then the sphincter closes again.
 Repeated propulsion & retropulsion are called Pyloric Mill as they
cause complete grinding & mixing of food e gastric juice  forming
"chyme".
3) Emptying of the Stomach
 Means emptying of gastric content into the duodenum.
 The Rate of gastric emptying is slow and small in volume.
 Significance of slow rate: prevents sudden stretch of duodenum (its
capacity is low so, its sudden stretch  abdominal discomfort, nausea &
vomiting).
 Mechanism:
 The emptying depends on difference in pr. ( ) pyloric antrum &
duodenal bulb.
 During peristalsis, pr. in pyloric antrum becomes > duodenum (pyloric
pump). So, gastric contents passes to duodenum till the pylorus closes
to prevent regurgitation of duodenal contents into the stomach.
Regulation of Gastric Emptying:
 Regulated by signals both from the stomach & the duodenum.
I. Gastric Factors: helps gastric emptying.
1) Nervous Signals: Gastric distension by food ++ mechanoreceptors in
gastric wall Long vago-vagal and short reflexes (through ENS)  
Pyloric pump and inhibit pyloric sphincter.
2) Hormonal Signals: Stimulation of chemo- & mechano receptors 
gastrin release from antrum 
 Pyloric pump and inhibit pyloric
sphincter.
3) Consistency of Gastric Contents: Soft food emptied quicker than hard
food.
II. Duodenal Factors: inhibit gastric emptying
1) Nervous Signals:
Distension & acidity of duodenum  enterogastric reflex which inhibits
gastric emptying. This reflex is mediated through:
a) Extrinsic nerves
 Through inhibitory symp. nerve fiber to the stomach OR
 Transmitted by vagus n. to vagal nucl. and then efferent purinergic
vagal fibers to the stomach.
b) Local signals:
Inhibitory impulses through ENS from upper part of duodenum reaching
the stomach to inhibit its motility.
Factors Initiating Enterogastric Reflex:
1) Duodenal distention.
2) Irritation to duodenal mucosa.
3) Degree of acidity:  duodenal acidity  inhibits gastric
emptying until the acidity is neutralized by pancreatic secretion.
4) Products of protein digestion: to insure complete protein
digestion in upper small intestine.
5) Degree of osmolality: hypo- or hypertonic fluids: to prevent
electrolyte imbalance.
2) Hormonal Signals:
 Fat in duodenum release certain hormones (enterogastrone)
from upper intestine,
which
inhibit gastric emptying.
Enterogastrone include : Cholecystokinin (CCK), secretin and
Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP).
- CCK acts as a competitive inhibitor for gastrin.
- GIP and secretin act by inhibiting gastric motility.
Motility of Fasted Stomach
1. Migrating Motor Complex (MMC):
 Def. Periodic phasic contraction occurring at regular and low
frequency, once /6-20 min.
 Function of MMC :
1) It clears stomach and S.I from indigestible residues. So, called "the
house-keeper of the gut".
2) It prevents duodenogastric reflux.
 Mechanism: unknown but its strength is increased by motilin hormone
2. Hunger contractions (Hunger Pangs):
 Definition: rhythmic peristaltic contraction that may fuse together
forming continuous contractions lasting 2-3 min  pain which is called
hunger pangs.
 Occurs in empty stomach after long time of fasting (12-24 h). In
starvation, hunger pangs reach maximum intensity in 3-4 days and then
gradually  and fasting can be continued without pain.
 Mechanism of Hunger Contraction:
- Food regulating center in hypothalamus is consists of 2 parts:
1) Feeding center: when stimulated, it causes person to eat.
2) Satiety center: when stimulated, it causes complete satiety.
Stomach
-------> hunger
painfeeding
During
normal
Satiety
Center
conditions
Vagus nerve
Feeding
Center
----
------During fasting
conditions
Glucoreceptors in the
hypothalamus
Blood glucose level
decreases
+++
+++
Vomiting
 Definition: Outward expulsion of gastric contents through
esophagus, pharynx & mouth.
 Mechanism of vomiting: Reflex in nature
- Receptors & Afferent: vagal and sympathetic fibers from different
parts of body.
- Center: vomiting center in M.O.
- Efferents from vomiting center pass through:
 5th , 7th , 9th , 10th and 12th cranial nerves, go to the GIT.
 Spinal nerves to diaphragm and abdominal muscles.
Response:
 Elevation of soft palate to close post. nasal cavity.
 Movement of larynx and hyoid bone ant. and upward  pulling of
UES
 Closure of the epiglottis.
 Strong downward contraction of diaphragm with simultaneous
contraction of anterior abdominal muscle.
 The resulting  in intra-abdominal pressure with relaxation of cardiac
sphincter & strong contraction at pylorus  stomach is squeezed (being
passive and relaxed)  expulsion of its contents through esophagus.
Causes of Vomiting:
1) Reflex Vomiting: impulses from body ++ of vomiting center
 Mechanical ++ of posterior part of tongue.
 Irritation of mucosa of stomach and duodenum e.g. gastritis.
 Visceral pain e.g. acute pertionitis, appendicitis and intestinal
obstruction.
 Myocardial infarction.
 Motion sickness: afferent sensory fibers from inner ear.
2) Psychic or Emotional Causes:
 Seeing or smelling certain substance  vomiting (through
conditioned reflex).
3) Chemical Causes:
 Vomiting can be caused by impulses arising in chemoreceptor trigger
zone (an area of brain outside vomiting center) by:
 Certain
drugs
e.g.
apomorphine, morphine
and
digitalis
derivatives.
 Production of emetic substances (in pregnancy) or toxins (in
uraemia).
 Massive doses of x-ray  liberation of certain chemical substances
(radiation sickness).
Stimulation of chemoreceptor trigger zone -------> stimulation of
vomiting center ---------> vomiting.
4) Nervous Causes:
 Mechanism:  Intracranial tension (ICT) as in meningitis, migraine &
brain tumors  cerebral ischemia  hypoxia  +++ vomiting center.
 Characters: The central vomiting is:
 Projectile (strong and sudden) and not proceeded by nausea.
 Associated with blurring of vision & headache (due to  ICT)