Which autonomic pathways regulate stomach motility and secretion?

• A. Parasympathetic via vagus nerve enhances motility and secretions; sympathetic via greater splanchnic nerves inhibits motility and secretions
• B. Enteric nervous system alone controls motility with no autonomic input
• C. Parasympathetic via vagus nerve inhibits motility
• D. Sympathetic via lesser splanchnic nerves enhances secretions

Answer: (A)

Stomach function is driven by opposing autonomic commands: parasympathetic input enhances activity, while sympathetic input dampens it. The vagus nerve provides the main parasympathetic drive to the stomach, releasing acetylcholine that stimulates smooth muscle contractions (increasing motility) and promotes gastric secretions from the glands (acid and enzymes). In contrast, sympathetic fibers travel via the greater splanchnic nerves to the foregut region and generally suppress gastric activity, reducing both motility and secretion. The lesser splanchnic nerves don’t primarily enhance stomach secretions. The enteric nervous system modulates local reflexes, but autonomic input through the vagus and the greater splanchnic pathways is essential for full regulation of stomach motility and secretions.