Interstitial cell of cajal

Interstitial Cell of Cajal

The Interstitial Cell of Cajal (ICC) is a type of cell found in the gastrointestinal tract. These cells are named after the Spanish histologist Santiago Ramón y Cajal, who first described them at the end of the 19th century.

Function

The primary function of the ICC is to act as a pacemaker that generates spontaneous electrical activity in the smooth muscle layers of the gastrointestinal tract. This electrical activity is responsible for the peristalsis and segmentation contractions that propel food through the digestive tract.

Structure

The ICC are stellate-shaped cells with long processes that make contact with smooth muscle cells, enteric neurons, and each other. They are found throughout the gastrointestinal tract but are most abundant in the myenteric plexus and the muscularis mucosae.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the number or function of ICC can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, including gastrointestinal motility disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroparesis.

Research

Research into the ICC is ongoing, with studies focusing on their role in gastrointestinal motility disorders and potential therapeutic targets for these conditions.

See also

• Gastrointestinal tract
• Smooth muscle
• Pacemaker (biology)