Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are important players in
the symphony of gut motility. They have a very significant
physiological role orchestrating the normal peristaltic
activity of the digestive system. They are the pacemaker
cells in gastrointestinal (GI) muscles. Absence,
reduction in number or altered integrity of the ICC
network may have a dramatic effect on GI system motility.
More understanding of ICC physiology will foster
advances in physiology of gut motility which will help in
a future breakthrough in the pharmacological interventions
to restore normal motor function of GI tract. This
mini review describes what is known about the physiologic
function and role of ICCs in GI system motility
and in a variety of GI system motility disorders.