Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

Question: 1 / 400

How does the sympathetic nervous system affect motility in the stomach and intestines?

Increases motility

Decreases motility

The sympathetic nervous system primarily influences the digestive system by decreasing motility in the stomach and intestines. This occurs due to the body’s "fight or flight" response, where sympathetic activity prepares the body to respond to stress or danger. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it releases neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, which inhibit peristalsis and other digestive functions.

This decrease in motility helps conserve energy and resources for more critical functions during times of stress, as it diverts blood flow away from the digestive system toward skeletal muscles and vital organs necessary for immediate survival. Therefore, the correct understanding of the sympathetic nervous system's role in regulating gastrointestinal motility is that it predominantly decreases motility, leading to slower movement of content through the gastrointestinal tract and reduced digestive efficiency.

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No effect

Increases digestive secretions

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