The neural pathways that coordinate digestion collectively form the enteric nervous system (enteric = ‘of the intestines’)

• The enteric nervous system (ENS) involves both autonomic (involuntary) and somatic (voluntary) motor pathways
  

The initiation of swallowing and the egestion of faeces are under voluntary control by the CNS, however the passage of food between these points is involuntary

• Peristalsis is the principal mechanism of food movement within the alimentary canal and involves the sequential contraction of longitudinal smooth muscles

• This movement is autonomically controlled by the enteric nervous system to ensure the continuous movement of digested material