
An Introduction to Gastro–Enterology
The Mechanics of the Digestive Tract
- 4th Edition - January 1, 1948
- Imprint: Butterworth-Heinemann
- Author: Walter C. Alvarez
- Language: English
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 2 3 9 1 - 9
The Mechanics of the Digestive Tract, Fourth Edition: An Introduction to Gastro-Enterology provides information pertinent to the mechanics of the digestive tract. This book reviews… Read more

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Request a sales quoteThe Mechanics of the Digestive Tract, Fourth Edition: An Introduction to Gastro-Enterology provides information pertinent to the mechanics of the digestive tract. This book reviews the various explanations for the downward progress of intestinal waves. Organized into 34 chapters, this edition begins with an overview of the main types of activity in the small bowel. This text then explains the nature of the polarity and the location of the mechanism that produces it. Other chapters consider the duodenal tonus contraction in which the wave seems to originate generally appears a few seconds before a gastric wave reaches the pylorus. This book discusses as well the polarity of the bowel that caused every contraction ring to spread caudad as soon it formed. The final chapter provides a list of books that are likely to be helpful to readers who are starting on their lifework in the fields of gastro-enterology and gastro-intestinal physiology. This book is a valuable resource for students, teachers, physicians, and research workers.
Preface to Fourth EditionPreface to Third EditionPreface to Second EditionList of IllustrationsI. The Motor Functions Of the Small Bowel Two Main Types of Activity The Polarity of the Bowel The Several Forms of Activity Activity in the Small Bowel of Man Effect of Sleep Changes in the Irritability of the Bowel The Metabolic Rate of the Intestinal Wall SummaryII. The Facultative Autonomy of the Digestive Tract Evolution of the Nervous System The Function of the Nerves SummaryIII. Some Theories that have Been Advanced to Explain the Polarity of the Small Bowel Bayliss and Starling's Law, or the Myenteric Reflex The Normal Rush Waves Keith's Theory of Intestinal Control Carey's Theory Goerttler's Idea SummaryIV. The Gradient Theory of the Polarization of the Bowel Definition of a Gradient The Polarity of the Heart Gradients in Several Tubular Organs The Gradient in the Rate of Rhythmic Contraction of the Intestine Is the Polarity or Gradient Located More in the Myenteric Plexus than in the Muscle The Origin of Gradients in the Egg and the Embryo The Polarity of the Bowel is Primarily "Built In" Is the Gradient the Cause of the Polarity Is There a Gradient in the Bowel of Man History of the Idea of the Gradient SummaryV. A Possible Basic Metabolic Gradient A Metabolic Gradient Gradients in Chemical Composition Axial Gradients in Lower Forms of Life SummaryVI. Other Related Gradients Gradient in the Force Exerted by the Intestinal Muscle Gradient in Anatomic Structure Gradient in Ability to Withstand Distention Chemical Gradients Along the Mucosa Resistance of the Intestinal Mucosa to Gastric Juice Gradient of pH in the Intestinal Contents SummaryVII. Ways in Which a Gradient Might Conceivably be Altered or Reversed Factors that Might Alter the Gradient Reversal of Gradients by Drugs Ways in which Various Factors Might Alter a Gradient Intestinal Obstruction A New Law of the Intestine Dietary Suggestions SummaryVIII. The Syndrome Of Reverse Peristalsis Vomiting Regurgitation Heartburn and Distresses Confused with it Belching Nausea Motion Sickness and Nausea Coated Tongue and Bad Breath Feeling of Fullness After Beginning to Eat Hiccup Biliousness Difficulties and Objections SummaryIX. The Smooth Muscle of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract Anatomic and Physiologic Characteristics Types of Smooth Muscle Response to Tension Response to Direct Irritation SummaryX. The Muscular Versus the Nervous Origin of the Rhythmic Contractions of the Gut The Work of Magnus Can Intestinal Muscle be Denervated Mechanically Studies with Tissue Cultures Contractions in Embryonic Nerve-Free Intestinal Muscle The Heart of Limulus Rhythmic Activity a Property of All Contractile Tissue Light Thrown by the Electrogram Anoxemia as an Instrument for Analyzing Nervous Structures Pharmacologic Arguments Nervous Influences Affect the Rhythmic Contractions SummaryXI. The Structure and Functions of the Myenteric Plexuses Methods of Study Histologic Studies The Anatomy of the Plexuses in the Stomach Origin of the Enteric Nervous System Functions of the Myenteric Plexuses Physiologic Studies to Determine the Structure of the Myenteric Plexus Types of Conduction Along the Small Bowel Conduction which Enables Thousands of Muscle Fibers to Contract Together Secretory Fibers in the Enteric Nervous System Fibers Controlling Absorption The Plexuses in the Stomach and Colon are Different from Those in the Small Bowel Pre-and Post-Ganglionic Fibers Nerves to Mediate the "Myenteric Reflex" Effects of Certain Drugs on Conduction Nolf's Model of the Myenteric Plexus SummaryXII. The Extrinsic Nerves of the Digestive Tract and their Functions The Peculiar Response of Smooth Muscle to Nervous Stimulation Effects of Stimulating Vagus Nerves Chemical Mediators The Vagi and Splanchnics are Mixed Nerves Afferent Impulses Injuring the Brain Mixed Effects of Stimulating Sympathetic Nerves The Nature of the Involuntary Nervous System The Functions of the Intestinal Nerves Vasomotor and Secretory Fibers Psychic Effects Effects from the Brain on the Stomach and Bowel The Innervation of the Stomach The Effects of Vagonomy in Animal and Man How Far Down the Bowel do the Vagus Nerves Extend Celiac Plexuses The Influence of Nerves in Quieting the Bowel in Case of Peritonitis Nerves to the Liver Nerves of the Crop and Gizzard in the Chicken SummaryXIII. Chewing and Swallowing The Value of Chewing The Esophagus Swallowing Reverse Peristalsis in the Esophagus Air Swallowing Dysphagia Is the Act of Swallowing Essential to Life SummaryXIV. The Cardia Why the Cardia is Weak Rhythmic Tendencies Regurgitation The Nervous Control of the Cardia Cardiospasm and Hirschsprung's Disease SummaryXV. The Movements of the Stomach Way in Which Waves Travel Over the Stomach Literature on Gastric Movements Conduction in the Stomach Changes in Tonus A Humoral Influence on Gastric Activity Mode of Travel of Solids and Liquids Through the Stomach The Gastric Canal or Furrow ("Magenstrasse") The Blood Vessels of the "Magenstrasse" and Duodenal Cap The Position of the Stomach in the Abdomen The Influence of Sleep The Influence of Food and Drugs The Stomach of Infants SummaryXVI. Gradients in the Muscular Wall of the Stomach The Primitive Digestive Tube and its Modifications Differences in Rhythmicity in Different Parts of the Stomach Differences in Tonus Differences in Irritability and Latent Period Differences in the Reactions of Excised Strips of Muscle SummaryXVII. The Pylorus and the Duodenal Cap A Fibrous Tissue Barrier A Physiological Barrier The Duodenal Cap Influences Crossing the Pyloric Line Passage of Material Through the Pylorus The Emptying of the Cap Autonomy of the Pylorus The Control of the Pylorus Re-Gurgitation of Duodenal Contents into the Stomach Gastric Emptying Due to an Upset in Balance Between Intragastric and Intraduodenal Pressures Nervous and Other Influences Affecting the Pylorus Emptying Time of the Stomach as an Index of Digestibility of Foods Pyloric Stenosis in Infancy The Duodenum Below the Cap SummaryXVIII. Hunger Contractions and the Pain of Ulcer Hunger Contractions The Pain of Ulcer Notes on Abdominal Pain in General SummaryXIX. Movements of the Stomach hat is Diseased or has Been Operated On Movements of the Stomach that is Diseased Effects of Removal of Portions of the Stomach SummaryXX. Vomiting Trigger Zones from Which Vomiting Can be Started Regurgitation Due to the Efforts of the Digestive Tract Alone The Part Played by the Voluntary Muscles Behavior of the Stomach During Vomiting Behavior of the Cardia and Esophagus Behavior of the Bowel The Vomiting Center The Pathways for Afferent and Efferent Impulses Influences Coming from the Heart Pregnancy Association Between Vomiting and Diarrhea Practical Applications Vomiting Not Always Prevented by Keeping Drugs Out of the Stomach SummaryXXI. The Mechanics of the Gallbladder Embryology Anatomy Filling of the Gallbladder Absorption from the Gallbladder Other Functions of the Gallbladder Emptying of the Gallbladder Effect of Cholecystectomy on the Bile Ducts Mode of Production of Pain in Gallbladder Disease SummaryXXII. The Muscularis Mucosae SummaryXXIII. The Ileocecal Sphincter The Gastro-Ileac Reflex An Ileo-Gastric Reflex Receptive Relaxation of the Colon The Nervous Control of the Sphincter Regurgitation Through the Sphincter The Function of the Sphincter Reason for Blockage of Waves at the Ileocecal Sphincter Anatomy and Embryology SummaryXXIV. The Appendix SummaryXXV. The Movements of the Colon The Water-Conserving Function of the Colon The Colons of Herbivora and Carnivora Movements of the Colon The Formation of Mucus in the Colon Nerve Supply of the Colon Defecation SummaryXXVI. The Length and Complexity of the Bowel as Influenced by Diet The Length of the Small Intestine Is Man Built to be Herbivorous or Carnivorous SummaryXXVII. The Rate of Progress of Food Residues Through the Digestive Tract The Rate of Progress in the Small Intestine The Influence of High and Low Residue Diets SummaryXXVIII. Constipation Atony of the Colonic Muscle A Possible Reversal of the Rectal Gradient Lack of Vis a Tergo The Abuse of Purgatives The Peculiar Sensitiveness of the Rectum to Pressure Puzzles as to How Bulky Diets Relieve Constipation Attempts to Work Out a Surgical Treatment for Constipation SummaryXXIX. Gas in the Bowel Where does the Gas Come from How Gas Gets Out of the Bowel Flatulence and Aviation Bloating After the Cutting of Nerves Matters Historical and Amusing Clinical Applications Accute Dilatation of the Stomach Borborygmus The Action of Carminatives Postoperative "Gas Pains" SummaryXXX. Hunger, Appetite and Thirst The Sensations of Hunger Appetite Thirst SummaryXXXI. The Modus Operandi of a Gastro-Enterostomy Function of the Stomach after Gastro-Enterostomy Why does a Gastro-Enterostomy Give Relief in Cases of Ulcer SummaryXXXII. The Electrogastrogram and Electro-Enterogram SummaryXXXIII. Technical Methods and Apparatus Roentgen Rays and the Barium Meal Method of Auer Gastric and Duodenal Tubes and Balloons, and Electrodes Intestinal Fistulas Opening the Abdomen Under Salt Solution Excised Whole Small Bowel Studies of Small Excised Segments of Bowel Abdominal Windows Transplanted Segments of Stomach, Pancreas, or Bowel The Electrogastrogram and the Electro-Enterogram The Gastroscope Trans-Parent Fish Useful Articles on Technic SummaryXXXIV. On Books and ReadingBibliographyIndex
- Edition: 4
- Published: January 1, 1948
- Imprint: Butterworth-Heinemann
- No. of pages: 928
- Language: English
- eBook ISBN: 9781483223919
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