Effects of distention of the small intestine on the movements of the gallbladder and the sphincter of Oddi

1. Dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium were mainly used and effects of the distention of the small intestine on the movements of the gall bladder and the sphincter of Oddi were investigated. 2. The distention of the small intestine (jejunum or ileum) inhibited the rhythmic contraction of the gall bladder and duodenal movements, and relaxed the tone of the sphincter of Oddi, resulting in an increase of the outflow of fluid through the orifice of the common bile duct. 3. After cutting the bilateral thoracic splanchnic nerves together with extirpation of the bilateral upper lumbar sympathetic trunks, the inhibitory response on the movements of the gall bladder and the tone of the sphincter of Oddi was completely abolished. The vagus nerve did not take part in the reflex response described above. The transection of the spinal cord at the level between Thl and Th2 produced no change in the reflex responses. 4. Fwm the results described above it may be supposed that effects of the distention of the small intestine on the movements of the gall bladder and the sphincter of Oddi are produced via the thoracic and lumbar splanchnic nerves through the reflex center which is located in the spinal cord.