Table 2.

Motor patterns in isolated human colon⁸⁶

Name of the colonic pattern	Interval between events	Directionality of propagation	Extent of propagation	Site of initiation	Trigger	Stimulus
Repetitive motor pattern	4.0 ± 0.6 min (0.25 cpm)	Anterograde, retrograde or simultaneous	Variable; usually >20 cm	Variable; at different sites along the length of the colon	Spontaneous	Enteric nerve stimulation
Single motor pattern	Single event	Anterograde or retrograde	Variable; usually >20 cm	Variable; at different sites along the length of the colon	Spontaneous	Enteric nerve stimulation and balloon distension

cpm, cycles per minute.