[Background and evoked neuronal activity of ganglia in the submucous plexus of the small intestine].

In preparations of the cat small intestine, presence of three types of cells was revealed: 1st--with single spikes, 2nd--with slow, and 3rd--with fast bursts of spontaneous activity as well as groups of silent neurons. The 1st and the 2nd type cells and some silent cells receive activating influence from adjacent ganglia. Silent neurons included mechanosensitive cells responding with specific series of discharges to mechanical deformation of the ganglion and to electric stimulation of adjacent ganglia. The interneuronal relationships within the ganglion and connections between cells of adjacent ganglia were revealed which suggests that all neurons of the plexus are involved in a functional network.