Migrating motor complex

Migrating motor complxes of small intestine moments.

1. Migrating Motor Complex Saleem.Sayed , Nimra institute of medical sciences.

2. What is migrating motor complex ? Migrating motor complex is a distinct pattern of electromechanical activity. It is observed in gastrointestinal smooth muscle during the periods between meals.(during the periods of fasting for several hours) A large portion of stomach or intestine is involved in the contraction. It serves a "housekeeping" role and sweep residual undigested materials. The cycle recurs every 1.5 to 2 hours and consists of 4 phases:

3. 4 phases of MMC A period of smooth muscle inactivity lasting 45 to 60 minutes. (there are only action potentials and contractions.) A period of 30 minutes in which peristaltic contractions occur and progressively and increase in frequency. (Peristalsis originates in the stomach and propagates through the small intestine.) A phase lasting 5 to 15 minutes in which, rapid & evenly spaced peristaltic contractions occur. (The pylorus remains open and allows indigestible materials to pass into the small intestine.) A period of transition between the contractions in phase 3 and the inactivity of phase 1.

4. An increase in gastric, biliary and pancreatic secretion is also seen in along with the motor activity. It helps in the cleansing activity of the MMC and prevents building up of bacterial populations in the proximal segments. It is thought to be controlled from the central nervous system(CNS) and may be implemented by enteric hormone  ”motilin”.

5. Roles of Migrating Motor Complex It sweeps the excess digestive secretions into the colon & prevents the accumulation of the secretions in stomach and intestine. It also sweeps the residual indigested materials into colon. Migrating motor complex has potentially important therapeutic and social implications . Migrating motor complexes can be noisy and are the cause of " growling .” Ingestion of food will abolish a MMC and restore a digestive pattern of motility.

6. THANK YOU