Where does this come from, and can I check it?

Interstitial cells of Cajal generate slow electrical waves about three times a minute. The figure is taken from NIDDK, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a human body fact?

Yes. It sits on the Human Body shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

Pacemaker cells set the rhythm of stomach churning

Interstitial cells of Cajal generate slow electrical waves about three times a minute These star-shaped cells sit between the muscle layers of the gut wall and act as its pacemakers. Their slow waves sweep through smooth muscle and trigger coordinated contractions. Similar cell networks keep the small intestine and colon moving at their own different rates. It sits in Mondo's human body collection, one of 200 facts that each trace back to the reference below.

Where this comes from

NIDDK

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

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Stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve soft metalsGastric juice maintains a low pH to sterilise food and digest proteins Thick alkaline mucus shields the stomach from self-digestionBicarbonate-rich barriers neutralise gastric acid at the mucosal surface The stomach releases a hormone that builds hungerGhrelin rises before expected meals and falls again once food arrives The stomach regenerates its mucous lining every few daysEpithelial cell renewal prevents stomach acid from digesting stomach walls The small intestine measures roughly six metres in lengthExtensive surface area absorbs most dietary nutrients into the blood The large intestine absorbs water and houses trillions of microbesColon microflora break down indigestible fibres and synthesise vitamins

Tags: stomach, pacemaker, digestion

Pacemaker cells set the rhythm of stomach churning: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: Interstitial cells of Cajal generate slow electrical waves about three times a minute. The figure is taken from NIDDK, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a human body fact?: Yes. It sits on the Human Body shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.