How do I become a Gastroenterologist?

Gastroenterology is the study of gastrointestinal disorders. For the physician, the digestive tract has always been a blind spot invisible to the naked eye. Since the application of fiber endoscopy, gastroenterologists have been fortunate enough to see the digestive tract and know if there are any lesions. However, this cannot completely solve the problem. Some functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially those with dysmotility, cannot be diagnosed based on vision. Thanks to a large amount of research on the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, many new technologies have been established, such as pH monitoring, gastrointestinal manometry, and more recently electrogastrograms. These new technologies have become routine methods of gastrointestinal disease research around the world.

Gastrointestinal motility

Right!

Gastroenterology is the study of gastrointestinal disorders. For the physician, the digestive tract has always been a blind spot invisible to the naked eye. Since the application of fiber endoscopy, gastroenterologists have been fortunate enough to see the digestive tract and know if there are any lesions. However, this cannot completely solve the problem. Some functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially those with dysmotility, cannot be diagnosed based on vision. Thanks to a large amount of research on the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, many new technologies have been established, such as pH monitoring, gastrointestinal manometry, and more recently electrogastrograms. These new technologies have become routine methods of gastrointestinal disease research around the world.

Basic profile

Changes in Oddi sphincter tone and phase contraction regulate bile entry into the duodenum. After meals (especially fat meals), bile is required to enter the duodenum to aid in fat absorption. Gallbladder muscle contraction and Oddi sphincter relaxation make bile flow more easily into the duodenum.

Fasting Oddi sphincter activity is more complex. At this stage, there is a basic contractile movement of the Oddi sphincter, which often causes it to contract. In addition, there is also a local contractile transmission movement in the direction of the duodenum to keep the common bile duct dry. However, in some normal individuals, reverse and synchronous contractions occur simultaneously, so the Oddi sphincter is not an absolute barrier. During the fasting period, a small amount of bile is still excreted into the duodenum.

Oddi sphincter dyskinesia can block the flow of bile and / or pancreatic juice to the duodenum, leading to functional disorders.

Little is known about the neurohormonal regulation of the Oddi sphincter. However, cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to inhibit the Oddi sphincter, thereby increasing bile flow into the duodenum.

The common motor function of the gallbladder and Oddi sphincter plays an important role in regulating the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. It is also believed that the Oddi sphincter plays a role in preventing duodenum from flowing back into the bile duct.