motility

The ability to move spontaneously.

• abomasal m. — synchronized contractions and motility of the abomasal wall and the opening of the pyloric sphincter are dependent on the fullness of the abomasum, the degree of trituration and the pH of the contents and the integrity of the vagal and sympathetic nerve supplies.
• intestinal m. — is essential to onward movement of the digesta and excreta. Absence leads to lack of absorption, accumulation of fluid and gas, and development of paralytic ileus. Audible over the flank with a stethoscope.
• m. modifiers — a class of drugs used to regulate activity of gastrointestinal smooth muscle; includes cholinergics, anticholinergics, domperidone, cisapride, opioids, loperamide, metoclopramide and diphenoxylate hydrochloride.
• ruminal m. — audible and visible in the upper left flank. The best indicator of the state of activity of the alimentary tract in cattle.
• m. tests — carried out to characterize the motility of some bacteria. Methods include the direct microscopy of a hanging-drop, semisolid media with an indicator dye, and other specialized types of medium.