An 87-year-old man has a stroke that eliminates vagal nerve input to the gastrointestinal tract and severely curtails function of the glossopharyngeal nerve. Which of the following is operational in this man?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Secondary peristalsis of the esophagus is a reflex that is initiated by the distension of the esophagus itself, rather than by neural input from the vagus or glossopharyngeal nerves. This means it can still function in the absence of input from these nerves, helping to clear the esophagus of remaining food.

An 87-Year-Old Man Has a Stroke That Eliminates Vagal Nerve