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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Aug 1.
Published in final edited form as: Mayo Clin Proc. 2016 Aug;91(8):1118–1132. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.06.003

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Pathogenesis of Common Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Genetic predisposition and psychological factors contribute to a variety of gastrointestinal sensory and motor dysfunctions that contribute to symptoms (left panel). Center panel shows some factors (eg, bile acids, postinfectious inflammation) that alter mucosal permeability, stimulate enterochromaffin cells, and activate immune mechanisms to stimulate afferent nerves. Central sensitization may result from this peripheral sensitization and/or reduced descending inhibition, which normally gates visceral sensation in the spinal cord.