Enteric nervous system (ENS) (ENS)

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a vast and complex network of neurons and glia residing within the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, functioning largely independently of the central nervous system (Gershon, 1998). It is organized into two main interconnected plexuses: the myenteric plexus, which primarily regulates smooth muscle contractility and motility, and the submucosal plexus, which controls epithelial secretion and local blood flow (Furness, 2006). In the colon, the ENS coordinates the complex patterns of peristalsis and mass movements required for waste elimination. Pathological changes in the ENS are implicated in a wide range of disorders, from functional gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome to developmental diseases like Hirschsprung's disease (Rao & Gershon, 2016). Furthermore, the ENS is a significant site for drug action, where agonists and antagonists of various neurotransmitter receptors are used to treat motility and sensory disturbances (Camilleri, 2021).

Other names

Intrinsic nervous systemSecond brainMyenteric plexus (Auerbach's plexus)Submucosal plexus (Meissner's plexus)

Modulation of enteric neurotransmission via activation or inhibition of specific receptors (e.g., 5-HT4, 5-HT3, mu-opioid, GC-C) to regulate gastrointestinal motility, secretion, and sensation.