How many kinds of visceral afferents?

Gut. 2004 Mar;53 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):ii1-4. doi: 10.1136/gut.2003.033407.

Abstract

Most afferent signals from the viscera do not give rise to conscious experience and yet they participate in the complex neural control of visceral functions. Surprisingly little information is available on the origin, morphology, and receptor functional characteristics of the nerve endings of most primary afferent neurones to the digestive tract. This review deals with the morphological nature of the afferent neurones that supply the gastrointestinal tract specifically.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Axons / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / ultrastructure*
  • Paracrine Communication
  • Sensory Thresholds / physiology
  • Visceral Afferents / metabolism
  • Visceral Afferents / ultrastructure*