GI Physiology

Q1. I am a little confused about all the different types of contractions. Can someone outline exactly how many types of contractions there are and which contraction goes where? Thanks.

A1. Oral cavity - Chewing
Pharynx - orophayngeal phase of swallowing
Esophagus - relaxations of UES, primary peristalsis, relaxation of LES, secondary peristalsis
Stomach - sustained contractions in proximal stomach and peristalsis in distal stomach
Small Intestine - segmentation and peristalsis
Colon - segmentation and mass movement

Q2. I had a couple of questions from the practice GI test.
1. What is the "postprandial period?"
2. What exactly is a "rapid phasic contraction?"

A2. The postprandial period is the 4-6 hours after a meal when there is significant chyme in the stomach and/or small intestine. I did not include rapid phasic contractions in my lectures so you are not responsible for them.