Enterochromaffin
Enterochromaffin (EC) cells are a type of neuroendocrine cell found in the gastrointestinal tract. They are responsible for the production and secretion of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility.
Function[edit | edit source]
EC cells are primarily involved in the production and secretion of serotonin. This neurotransmitter is essential for the regulation of various physiological processes in the gastrointestinal tract, including gastrointestinal motility, intestinal secretion, and visceral sensation. EC cells can respond to various stimuli, such as mechanical stress or chemical signals, leading to the release of serotonin.
Location[edit | edit source]
EC cells are found throughout the gastrointestinal tract, with the highest concentration in the duodenum and jejunum. They are also present in the stomach, ileum, and colon. In addition to the gastrointestinal tract, EC cells can also be found in the pancreas and lung.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Alterations in the function of EC cells can lead to various gastrointestinal disorders. For example, an increase in the number of EC cells and serotonin production is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). On the other hand, a decrease in the number of EC cells and serotonin production is linked to conditions such as constipation and gastroparesis.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Enterochromaffin Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD