Enterochromaffin cell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Enterochromaffin (EC) cells (Kulchitsky cells) are a type of enteroendocrine cell^[1] occurring in the epithelia lining the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract.

Contents 1 Function 2 Etymology 3 "Enterochromaffin-like cells" 4 See also 5 References

[edit] Function

They produce and contain about 90% of the body's store of serotonin (5-HT).

In the gastrointestinal tract, 5-HT is important in response to chemical, mechanical or pathological stimuli in the lumen. It activates both secretory and peristaltic reflexes, and activates vagal afferents (via 5-HT₃ receptors) that signal to the brain (important in the generation of nausea).

Ondansetron is an antagonist of the 5-HT₃ receptor and is an effective anti-emetic.

[edit] Etymology

They are called "entero"^[2] meaning related to the gut and "chromaffin" because of a chromium salt reaction that they share with chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla (adrenal glands). ^[3]

[edit] "Enterochromaffin-like cells"

Another population of chromaffin cells is found only in the stomach wall, called enterochromaffin-like cells (ECL). They look "like" EC cells but do not contain 5-HT.

ECL cells respond to acetylcholine released by the vagus nerve and they in turn release histamine.

[edit] See also

• Carcinoid syndrome
• serotonin

[edit] References

1. ^ MeSH Enterochromaffin+Cells
2. ^ http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3258
3. ^ GPnotebook 1516961798

Gastrointestinal tract v • d • e

Upper gastrointestinal tract Mouth | Pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx) | Esophagus | Crop | Stomach (rugae, gastric pits, cardia, pylorus) Lower gastrointestinal tract Small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) | Vermiform appendix Large intestine: Cecum | Colon (ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon) | Rectum (Houston valve, rectal ampulla, pectinate line) | Anal canal (anal valves, anal sinuses, anal columns) Anus: Sphincter ani internus muscle | Sphincter ani externus muscle Enteric nervous system: Meissner's plexus | Auerbach's plexus Enteroendocrine cells: G cells | Enterochromaffin cells | Enterochromaffin-like cell GALT: Peyer's patches | M cells parietal cells | chief cells | goblet cells | Brunner's glands | Paneth cells | enterocytes intestinal villus | crypts of Lieberkühn | circular folds | taenia coli | haustra | epiploic appendix