In my notes it says that the last 2/3 of the esophagus is controlled by smooth muscle (controlled by ANS and ENS). What is ENS? I'm listening to the lecture the it's something nervous system but I have no idea what the E stands for.

ENS = enteric nervous system

Thank you!

ENS stands for Enteric Nervous System. It is a division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that specifically controls the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus.

To find out what ENS stands for, you can break down the term:

1. Enteric: This term refers to the intestine or the gastrointestinal system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

2. Nervous System: The nervous system is a network of specialized cells (neurons) that transmit signals and coordinate the activities of different parts of the body.

By combining these two terms, "Enteric Nervous System" refers to the network of neurons that control the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the specific context of your notes, it means that the last two-thirds of the esophagus are primarily controlled by the smooth muscles, which are influenced by both the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the enteric nervous system (ENS).