Tasks of the small intestine wall
The muscle layer of the wall of the small intestine (tunica muscularis) with its wave-like contraction (peristalsis) serves to transport the food pulp. The pulp is also well mixed and crushed. The contractions are triggered by pacemaker cells, the so-called cajal cells.
These in turn are controlled by the enteric nervous system, the “nervous system of the intestine”. It consists of two nerve plexuses, of which the Auerbach plexus in particular is responsible for blood circulation and motility. By stretching the wall of the small intestine, among other things, it can be stimulated and trigger the contraction of the intestinal muscles near the mouth and the relaxation of the intestinal muscles away from the mouth, which causes the food to move towards the large intestine. This is also known as the peristaltic reflex.
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