Small intestinal movements in vivo and the neuro-mechanical control mechanisms

A major intestinal movement known as peristalsis was studied as an autonomous distributed system. Although the small intestine takes a homogeneous structure along the longitudinal axis, the intestinal movement is autonomically systematized to transport the contents smoothly by itself. To study control mechanisms, a dog´s small intestinal movements were observed in vivo, and two types of peristaltic movements after feeding were found. The transport efficiency of peristalsis was analyzed, using a mathematical model. The numerical analyses showed that there is an optimal movement that maximizes the transport efficiency. Neurodynamical simulations with mechanical peristaltic simulators that can handle actual materials were also studied. The proposed neuromechanical model transported various kinds of contents, varying the movements to suit the properties of the contents