Motilin is secreted by cells ina) Stomachb) Duodenumc) Pancreasd) Liver
First, I need to recall what motilin does. Motilin is a hormone involved in gastrointestinal motility. I remember that it stimulates peristalsis, especially during the interdigestive phase, helping to move contents through the intestines. Now, where is it produced? I think it's the duodenum, but I'm not 100% sure. Let me think again. The stomach has cells like G cells for gastrin, and the duodenum might have enteroendocrine cells. The pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon, and the liver produces bile and various proteins.
Wait, motilin is one of the hormones secreted by the intestinal mucosa. The duodenum is part of the small intestine, and the cells there are called Mo cells, which are a type of enteroendocrine cell. So motilin is secreted by Mo cells in the duodenum. The stomach's cells are more about gastrin (G cells), histamine (ECL cells), etc. The pancreas has islets for hormones like insulin. The liver doesn't secrete motilin. So the correct answer should be B, duodenum.
Now, the incorrect options: the stomach (A) secretes gastrin, not motilin. The pancreas (C) doesn't make motilin; it's more about insulin and glucagon. The liver (D) produces bile and other substances but not motilin.
Clinical pearl: Remembering the enteroendocrine cells and their hormones is key. For example, G cells in the stomach for gastrin, S cells in the duodenum for secretin, and Mo cells for motilin. This helps in answering questions about hormone origins and their functions in the GI tract.
**Core Concept**
Motilin is a peptide hormone secreted by specialized enteroendocrine cells called Mo cells, primarily located in the duodenum and jejunum. It regulates gastrointestinal motility by stimulating peristalsis, particularly during the interdigestive phase.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Motilin is produced by Mo cells (also called motilin-secreting cells) in the duodenum and jejunum. It acts via motilin receptors on smooth muscle cells of the gastrointestinal tract, inducing the migrating motor complex (MMC), which clears residual contents between meals. This hormone is distinct from other GI hormones like gastrin (from stomach G cells) or secretin (from duodenal S cells).
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A: Stomach** – Gastrin is secreted by gastric G cells, not motilin.
**Option C: Pancreas** – The pancreas secretes insulin, glucagon, and digestive enzymes, not motilin.
**Option D: Liver** – The liver produces bile and plasma proteins but does not synthesize motilin.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember the “Mo cell” mnemonic: **M**otilin is secreted by **M**o **cells** in the