Gastrointestinal and Nutrition Physiology

Motility and peristalsis Practice Questions

40 free Motility and peristalsis practice questions for the Physiology, each with the correct answer and a detailed explanation. Open any question below, or take the full set as an interactive quiz.

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All Motility and peristalsis questions

40 questions
  1. Q1. Peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract is best described as:
  2. Q2. Which muscle layer contraction primarily narrows the lumen during peristalsis?
  3. Q3. Which nerve plexus primarily coordinates peristaltic movements?
  4. Q4. Which type of movement mainly serves a mixing function in the small intestine?
  5. Q5. The primary pacemaker cells responsible for generating slow waves are:
  6. Q6. Which gastrointestinal region has the slowest basic electrical rhythm?
  7. Q7. Which hormone increases gastric motility and emptying?
  8. Q8. The migrating motor complex occurs primarily during:
  9. Q9. Which neurotransmitter is primarily excitatory for gastrointestinal smooth muscle?
  10. Q10. Which movement is characteristic of the colon to propel feces over long distances?
  11. Q11. Relaxation ahead of the peristaltic wave is mediated mainly by:
  12. Q12. Which factor most strongly initiates peristalsis in the intestine?
  13. Q13. The law of the intestine states that peristalsis proceeds:
  14. Q14. Which structure prevents reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus?
  15. Q15. Which gastrointestinal movement predominates in the esophagus?
  16. Q16. Haustral contractions are characteristic of which part of the gastrointestinal tract?
  17. Q17. Which autonomic input generally decreases gastrointestinal motility?
  18. Q18. Which hormone slows gastric emptying by reducing motility?
  19. Q19. Pendular movements primarily occur due to alternating contraction of:
  20. Q20. Failure of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter leads to:
  21. Q21. Which of the following describes the electrical phenomenon known as 'slow waves' in gastrointestinal smooth muscle?
  22. Q22. Which ions are primarily responsible for the 'spike potentials' that lead to actual contraction in the gut wall?
  23. Q23. Which gastrointestinal region exhibits the highest frequency of the basic electrical rhythm (BER)?
  24. Q24. During a peristaltic reflex, what occurs in the segment of the intestine located immediately downstream (anal-ward) of the bolus?
  25. Q25. The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) is a pattern of electromechanical activity that occurs primarily during which state?
  26. Q26. Which of the following best describes the 'Vagovagal reflex' in the context of gastric motility?
  27. Q27. A patient is found to have a lack of ganglionic cells in the myenteric plexus of the distal colon. What is the most likely clinical manifestation?
  28. Q28. What is the physiological significance of 'retropulsion' in the stomach?
  29. Q29. Which hormone is the primary mediator for inducing gallbladder contraction and simultaneously relaxing the Sphincter of Oddi?
  30. Q30. The 'Law of the Gut' (Polarity of the intestine) primarily refers to the fact that:
  31. Q31. Which of the following will decrease the rate of gastric emptying?
  32. Q32. Secondary peristalsis in the esophagus is distinguished from primary peristalsis because it:
  33. Q33. Which movement is most responsible for the mixing of chyme with digestive enzymes in the small intestine?
  34. Q34. What characterizes 'mass movements' in the large intestine?
  35. Q35. The gastroileal reflex results in the relaxation of the ileocecal valve. What is the primary trigger for this reflex?
  36. Q36. How do opioid medications (like morphine) typically affect gastrointestinal motility?
  37. Q37. Which structure acts as the physiological pacemaker for gastric motility, and where is it located?
  38. Q38. During the defecation reflex, which of the following is under voluntary control?
  39. Q39. What is the primary effect of sympathetic nervous system stimulation on the sphincters of the gastrointestinal tract?
  40. Q40. Which of the following neurotransmitters is the primary excitatory mediator of circular muscle contraction behind a food bolus?