Editing Myenteric plexus (section)

==Function==
The myenteric plexus functions as a part of the enteric nervous system (digestive system). The enteric nervous system (ENS) can and does function autonomously, but normal digestive function requires communication links between this intrinsic system and the central nervous system. The ENS contains sensory receptors, primary afferent neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. The events that are controlled, at least in part, by the ENS are multiple and include motor activity, secretion, absorption, blood flow, and interaction with other organs such as the gallbladder or pancreas. These links take the form of parasympathetic and sympathetic fibers that connect either the central and enteric nervous systems or connect the central nervous system directly with the digestive tract. Through these cross connections, the gut can provide sensory information to the CNS, and the CNS can affect gastrointestinal function. Connection to the central nervous system also means that signals from outside of the digestive system can be relayed to the digestive system: for instance, the sight of appealing food stimulates secretion in the stomach.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/s10350-007-9072-8 |pmid=17899273 |title=Cancer Invasion to Auerbachʼs Plexus is an Important Prognostic Factor in Patients with pT3-pT4 Colorectal Cancer |journal=Diseases of the Colon & Rectum |volume=50 |issue=11 |pages=1860–6 |year=2007 |last1=Fujita |first1=Shin |last2=Nakanisi |first2=Yukihiro |last3=Taniguchi |first3=Hirokazu |last4=Yamamoto |first4=Seiichiro |last5=Akasu |first5=Takayuki |last6=Moriya |first6=Yoshihiro |last7=Shimoda |first7=Tadakazu |s2cid=26109259 }}</ref>

===Neurotransmitters===
The enteric nervous system makes use of over 30 different neurotransmitters, most similar to those of the CNS such as [[acetylcholine]], [[dopamine]], and [[serotonin]]. More than 90% of the body's serotonin lies in the gut; as well as about 50% of the body's dopamine, which is currently being studied to further our understanding of its utility in the brain.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pasricha|first=Pankaj Jay|title=Stanford Hospital: Brain in the Gut - Your Health|website=[[YouTube]] |date=2 March 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXx4WTVU34Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/UXx4WTVU34Y |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
The heavily studied [[neuropeptide]] known as [[substance P]] is present in significant levels and may help facilitate the production of saliva, smooth muscle contractions, and other tissue responses.

====Receptors====
Since many of the same neurotransmitters are found in the ENS as the brain, it follows that myenteric neurons can express receptors for both peptide and non-peptide (amines, amino acids, purines) neurotransmitters. Generally, expression of a receptor is limited to a subset of myenteric neurons, with probably the only exception being expression of nicotinic cholinergic receptors on all myenteric neurons. One receptor that has been targeted for therapeutic reasons has been the [[5-HT4 receptor|5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT<sub>4</sub>) receptor]]. Activating this pre-synaptic receptor enhances cholinergic neurotransmission and can stimulate gastrointestinal motility.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1152/ajpgi.00496.2009 |pmid=20413719 |pmc=2904117 |title=Critical role of 5-HT1A, 5-HT3, and 5-HT7 receptor subtypes in the initiation, generation, and propagation of the murine colonic migrating motor complex |journal=AJP: Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology |volume=299 |issue=1 |pages=G144–57 |year=2010 |last1=Dickson |first1=E. J. |last2=Heredia |first2=D. J. |last3=Smith |first3=T. K. }}</ref>

The enteric nervous system exhibits taste receptors similar to the ones in the tongue. The taste receptor [[TAS1R3]] and the taste G protein [[gustducin]] are two of the most common. These receptors sense "sweetness" on the tongue and sense glucose in the enteric nervous system. These receptors help regulate the secretion of insulin and other hormones that are responsible for controlling blood sugar levels.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1073/pnas.0706678104 |pmid=17724332 |pmc=1986615 |jstor=25449086 |title=T1R3 and gustducin in gut sense sugars to regulate expression of Na<sup>+</sup>-glucose cotransporter 1 |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=104 |issue=38 |pages=15075–80 |year=2007 |last1=Margolskee |first1=Robert F. |last2=Dyer |first2=Jane |last3=Kokrashvili |first3=Zaza |last4=Salmon |first4=Kieron S. H. |last5=Ilegems |first5=Erwin |last6=Daly |first6=Kristian |last7=Maillet |first7=Emeline L. |last8=Ninomiya |first8=Yuzo |last9=Mosinger |first9=Bedrich |last10=Shirazi-Beechey |first10=Soraya P. |bibcode=2007PNAS..10415075M |doi-access=free }}</ref>