Enteric nervous system (colonic) (ENS (colonic))

The **enteric nervous system** (ENS) is an extensive and complex network of neurons and glial cells embedded within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. The term “colonic enteric nerves” refers specifically to those components located within the colon. The ENS is sometimes called “the second brain” due to its autonomy and complexity. It consists primarily of two major plexuses—the myenteric plexus, which mainly controls gut motility, and the submucosal plexus, which regulates secretion and blood flow[3][4][5]. In the colon, these networks coordinate peristalsis (movement), regulate fluid absorption/secretion, interact with immune cells to maintain mucosal defense, and integrate signals from both intrinsic sensory neurons and extrinsic autonomic input[1][2]. While dysfunction or degeneration in these networks can contribute to various gastrointestinal diseases—including motility disorders like Hirschsprung disease or irritable bowel syndrome—“colonic enteric nerves” are not considered a single molecular therapeutic target such as a receptor or enzyme but rather represent an anatomical/functional system composed of many cell types expressing diverse receptors[1][2].\n\nNote on correctness (“is_incorrect”: true): \n“Colonic enteric nerves” is not a canonical name for any single molecule/receptor/therapeutically actionable protein. Instead it describes all intrinsic nerve fibers/neural circuits within the colon’s wall that make up part of the broader ENS. For structured data purposes focused on drug targets at molecular resolution—such as receptors or enzymes—this entry should be flagged as incorrect because it does not refer to one discrete molecular entity but rather an entire class/system comprising many different molecules/cell types[1][2].

Other names

Colonic enteric nervesColonic ENSIntrinsic colonic nervesEnteric neurons of the colon