Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

Enteric Nervous System (ENS) has been classified as the third division of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) in addition to the Sympathicus / Sympathetic Nervous System and Parasympathetic Nervous System / Parasympathicus / Vagus by Langley during the early 20 th century.
Langley 1921 W. Heffer & Sons Ltd, Cambridge
Furness & Costa 1980 Neuroscience 5(1): 1-20
Gershon 1981 Annual Review of Neuroscience 4(1): 227–272
Rao & Gershon 2018 Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 19 (9): 552–565

The ENS is the largest and most complex unit of the peripheral nervous system and is located within the walls of the GI tract, extending from the esophagus to the anal canal.
Gabella 1979 International Review of Cytology 59: 129–193
Rao & Gershon 2018 Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 19 (9): 552–565

The ENS is organized in two major plexi enclosed in the gut wall: the myenteric plexus embedded between the two muscle layers and the submucosal plexus lying within the submucosa underneath the mucosa.
Valès et al. 2018 Brain Research 1693: 140-145

Millions of neurons and glial cells in the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) are organized in interconnected ganglia within the intestinal wall.
Holland et al. 2021 Cell. Mol. Life Sci. CMLS 78: 4713-4733

The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) acts in a network of IECs, immune cells, and the gut microbiota
Holland et al. 2021 Cell. Mol. Life Sci. CMLS 78: 4713-4733

There are nearly 600 million enteric neurons within the gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle stemming from the myenteric and submucosal plexuses
Giuffrè et al. 2020 J. Clin. Med. 9: 3705
Radocchia et al. 2021 Microorganisms 9: 2549

Enteric neurons inhibited in vitro Treg (iTreg) differentiation in a cell-contact-independent manner
Yan et al. 2021 Immunity 54: 499-513

The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) consists of approximately 20 neuronal subtypes dispersed in its two major ganglia, the myenteric extending from esophagus to anus and submucosal in the small and large intestines
Furness et al. 2014 In Microbial Endocrinology: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease, Lyte, M., Cryan, J.F., Eds. Springer: New York, NY, USA, 39-71

Within the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) there are afferent neurons , interneurons (ascending interneurons , descending interneurons), and motoneurons ] (Excitatory Motoneurons, Inhibitory Motoneurons)
Fried et al. 2021 Neuropharmacology 197: 108721

The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) consists of two plexuses, myenteric and submucosal , and has several different roles, including regulating motility , mucosal blood flow , and water transport
Costa et al. 2000 Gut 47(Suppl 4): 15-19 discussion 26

Noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons are abundant in the ENS, although neurons expressing phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, the enzyme needed for the synthesis of epinephrine from norepinephrine, have yet to be found
Costa et al. 2000 Gut 47(Suppl 4): 15-19 discussion 26

Enteric Nervous System (ENS) together with the intestinal epithelia, the immune system, the enteroendocrine system and the intestinal microbiome are the functional components of the intestine
Yoo & Mazmanian 2017 Immunity 46(6): 910-926
Margolis et al. 2016 Trends Immunol 37(7): 487-501

Enteric Nervous System (ENS) gives the GI tract the ability to maintain many of its functions independent of extrinsic support
Pavlov 1910 C. Griffin & Company Limited: London, UK
Cannon et al. 1929 Am. J. Physiol.-Leg. Content 89: 84-107
Kang et al. 2007a Am. J. Surg. 194: 23-29

The ENS is an integrative network of neurons in the GI wall and a major player in the gut-brain axis which is a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system (CNS) and the GI tract
Cryan & Dinan 2012 Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 13: 701-712

The ENS, often referred to as the "second brain," contains as many neurons as the spinal cord and operates with considerable autonomy from the central nervous system, regulating a diverse range of gut functions. The ENS communicates bidirectionally with the brain via the gut-brain axis, involving neuronal, hormonal, and immune pathways; disruptions in this communication can contribute to functional GI disorders. Novel insights into enteric neurotransmitters, neuroimmune interaction, and gut microbiota are driving new approaches to understanding GI diseases and developing potential treatments that target neural control within the gut
Furness 2012 Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology 9 (5): 286-294

ENS innervation in the stomach is responsible for gastric acid secretion through its direct innervation of gastrin-releasing G cells
Schubert & Peura 2008 Gastroenterology 134: 1842-1860
Rivera et al. 2011 Neurogastroenterol. Motil. 23: 980-988
Furness 2012 Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology 9 (5): 286-294

The ENS is responsible for the regulation of gastro-intestinal processes and is connected to the CNS through the vagus nerve
Belkind-Gerson et al. 2006 J. Pediatric Gastroenterol. Nutr. 42: 343-350

The ENS is a large network with more than 100 million neurons of over 15 different cell types that innervate the gut.
Belkind-Gerson et al. 2006 J. Pediatric Gastroenterol. Nutr. 42: 343-350

In the small and large intestines, enteric neurons function in fluid movement and balance, blood flow, nutrient handling, gut-wall integrity, and communicating with local and peripheral neural, endocrine, and immune cells
Furness 2012 Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology 9 (5): 286-294
Furness et al. 2014 In Microbial Endocrinology: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease, Lyte, M., Cryan, J.F., Eds. Springer: New York, NY, USA, 39-71
Toumi et al. 2003 Neurogastroenterol. Motil. 15: 239-242

Through intrinsic sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons, the ENS is responsible for controlling small intestine motility and propulsion
Bayliss & Starling 1899 The Journal of Physiology 24 (2): 99–143
Gwynne et al. 2004 J. Physiol. 556: 557-569
Furness 2012 Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology 9 (5): 286-294

Likewise, the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC), a small intestinal phenomenon important for preventing bacterial overgrowth, is dependent entirely on ENS neurons
Sarna et al. 1981 Am. J. Physiol.-Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 241: G16-G23
El-Sharkawy et al. 1982 Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 60: 794-804

see also:
Immunity & Stress
Intestine / Gastrointestinal tract (Gut / GIT) & Neuroimmune Interactions