Figure 2 - The migrating motor complex (MMC).
A, Recording of intraluminal pressure activity from the proximal small intestine in man. Note the various components of the migrating motor complex which include phase 2, irregular phasic contractions (seen on the left of this figure), phase 3, a band of rhythmic phasic contractions that slowly migrates through the gut (seen in the center of the figure), and phase 1, motor quiescence (on the right hand side of this figure). This cycle comprising phases 1-3 will continue to occur as long as the individual remains fasted.
B, Migrating motor complex. Recording of myoelectrical activity from a dog. Note phase 3, represented by an uninterrupted band of spike activity, migrating through the proximal small intestine.
C, Schematic presentation of an entire 4-h-fasting recording from a dog. Each dot denotes phase 3 of the migrating motor complex. Note that phase 3 recurs at a regular interval of approximately 90 min and migrates through the small intestine.