A 24-year-old male graduate student participates in a clinical research study on intestinal motility. Peristalsis of the small intestine

Question

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[III D 2]. Peristalsis is contractile activity that is coordinated by the enteric nervous system (not the central nervous system [CNS]) and propels the intestinal contents forward. Normally, it takes place after sufficient mixing, digestion, and absorption have occurred. To propel the food bolus forward, the circular smooth muscle must simultaneously contract behind the bolus and relax in front of the bolus; at the same time, longitudinal smooth muscle relaxes (lengthens) behind the bolus and contracts (shortens) in front of the bolus.

A 24-Year-Old Male Graduate Student Participates in a Clinical Research