Movements Caused by the Muscularis Mucosae and Muscle A principal function of the ileocecal valve is to prevent backflow of fecal contents from the colon
into the small intestine. As shown in Figure 63-4, the ileocecal valve itself protrudes into the lumen of
the cecum and therefore is forcefully closed when excess pressure builds up in thececum and tries to
push cecal contents backward against the valve lips.
Other Autonomic Reflexes That Affect Bowel Activity Aside from the duodenocolic, gastrocolic, gastroileal, enterogastric, and defecation reflexes that
have been discussed in this chapter, several other important nervous reflexes also can affect the overall
degree of bowel activity.
