How are nervous and hormonal mechanisms involved in the control of digestive juice secretion?

Sourav PanNovember 9, 2024

Answered

The control of digestive juice secretion involves complex interactions between nervous and hormonal mechanisms. These systems work together to regulate the production and release of digestive juices in response to the presence of food and other stimuli. Here’s a detailed overview of how these mechanisms function:

Nervous Mechanisms

1. Extrinsic and Intrinsic Nervous Systems:
   • The extrinsic nervous system includes nerves that connect the digestive organs to the brain and spinal cord. These nerves can stimulate or inhibit digestive processes through the release of neurotransmitters. For example, vagal stimulation (from the vagus nerve) promotes gastric secretion by activating cholinergic neurons that signal the stomach to secrete gastric juices.
   • The intrinsic nervous system, also known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), operates independently within the gastrointestinal tract. It contains a network of neurons that respond to local stimuli, such as food stretching the stomach walls. When food enters the stomach, these intrinsic nerves release various neurotransmitters that enhance or inhibit digestive secretions depending on the body’s needs.
2. Reflex Arcs:
   • The nervous system controls digestive juice secretion through reflex arcs. For instance, when food is ingested, stretch receptors in the stomach wall are activated, sending signals through afferent neurons to the CNS, which then sends efferent signals back to stimulate gastric juice secretion.

Hormonal Mechanisms

1. Hormones Involved:
   • Several hormones play key roles in regulating digestive juice secretion:
     • Gastrin: Secreted by G cells in the stomach in response to protein presence, gastrin stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsinogen from gastric glands.
     • Secretin: Released by S cells in the duodenum when acidic chyme enters from the stomach, secretin stimulates the pancreas to secrete bicarbonate-rich fluid to neutralize stomach acid.
     • Cholecystokinin (CCK): Produced by I cells in the duodenum in response to fatty acids and amino acids, CCK stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion and bile release from the gallbladder.
     • Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP): Secreted by K cells in the small intestine, GIP slows gastric motility and inhibits gastric acid secretion when fats and carbohydrates are present.
2. Feedback Mechanisms:
   • Hormonal control often involves feedback mechanisms. For example, once food has been digested and nutrients absorbed, levels of certain hormones may decrease, signaling a reduction in digestive juice production. This negative feedback helps maintain homeostasis within the digestive system.

Integration of Nervous and Hormonal Control

• The interaction between nervous and hormonal mechanisms is crucial for efficient digestion:
  • Vago-vagal Reflexes: These reflexes involve both neural and hormonal responses. For instance, when food is detected in the stomach, vagal stimulation can enhance gastrin release, which further promotes gastric acid secretion.
  • Coordinated Responses: During digestion, hormonal signals can modulate neural activity. For example, CCK not only stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion but also influences gut motility through neural pathways.