Abstract

This review aims to examine current basic and clinical concepts, the results of which are expanding our understanding of visceral hypersensitivity and functional abdominal pain of intestinal origin in relation to the enteric nervous system (ENS), spinal sensory neurons and enteric mast cells. Advances in this sphere are translating to improved insight into chronic functional abdominal and pelvic pain syndromes in general.

Keywords: Stress, corticotropin releasing factor, irritable bowel syndrome, sensory afferents, abdominal pain, corticotropin, hypersensitivity, pelvic, fibromyalgia, histamine, cystitis, backfiring, etiologies, Noxious, endometriosis, hyperalgesia, myenteric plexus, lidocaine, diarrhea