Figure 14 - Neural circuit for transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) elicited by stimulation of subdiaphragmatic vagal afferents.

Subdiaphragmatic vagal afferents arising from the stomach project onto the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). The NTS neurons connect with neurons of the inhibitory pathway in the caudal part of the DMN. The inhibitory pathway neurons in the DMN mediate LES relaxation via nitrergic neurons in the LES.