What are the Histological Features of GI Motility?
The histological structure of the GI tract is specialized to facilitate its motility functions. The wall of the GI tract consists of several layers: the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa. The muscularis externa is particularly important for motility and is composed of two layers of smooth muscle: an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer. The coordinated contractions of these muscle layers generate the peristaltic waves that propel food through the GI tract.
