Intense contractions of the antrum accompanied by relaxation of the pyloric sphincter that function to sweep the stomach clean of its contents are called the
A) peristalsis.
B) receptive relaxation.
C) segmentation.
D) migrating motility complex.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The migrating motility complex (MMC) is a pattern of electromechanical activity observed in the gastrointestinal tract during the fasting state. It occurs in a cycle every 1.5 to 2 hours and serves to sweep residual undigested material through the digestive system, including the stomach, to prevent bacterial overgrowth and prepare the gut for the next meal. This process is distinct from peristalsis (A), which moves food through the digestive tract during digestion, receptive relaxation (B), which refers to the stomach's relaxation to accommodate incoming food, and segmentation (C), which is a mixing action in the intestines.

Intense Contractions of the Antrum Accompanied by Relaxation of the Pyloric