1

Running Header: Vomitus

Vomitus

Jonathan Bland
Pathophysiology
Prof. Lori McGowan

2
Running Header: Vomitus

Emesis is a complicated process that requires coordination of the vomiting center in the
dorsal lateral reticular formation of the medulla oblongata. The vomiting center lies close to the
respiratory center on the floor of the fourth ventricle and is directly activated by the visceral and
vagal afferent pathways from the gastrointestinal tract, chemotherapy trigger zone, vestibular
apparatus, and the cerebral cortex. When the vomiting center is stimulated, emesis is induced via
impulses to the salivation and respiratory centers and to the pharyngeal, gastrointestinal, and
abdominal muscles (Hyde, 2005).

Flow Chart:
1. Vomiting is stimulated
2. Emesis is induced via impulses to the salivation
3. down to the Respiratory centers
4. down to the pharyngeal
5. down to the gastrointestinal
6. And to the abdominal muscles.
7. Signals from the vestibular system induce the release of acetylcholine, which binds
and stimulates muscarinic receptors in the vomiting center.
Explain the different steps of the vomiting reflex. Also, explain how the vomitus characteristics are
indicative of different gastrointestinal disorders. When your body is stimulated to vomit centers in your
brain and emesis is induced via impulses to the salivation and respiratory centers and to the

3
Running Header: Vomitus

pharyngeal, gastrointestinal, and abdominal muscles. Thereby getting the signals from the vestibular
system induces the release of acetylcholine, which binds and stimulates muscarinic receptors in

the vomiting center causing on to vomit. There are many triggers that can cause one to vomit.
The main reasons why people vomit is by sensual objects, seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting.
The other reasons why people vomit is due to the drugs. They interact within the body to
stimulate the brain causing one to vomit. Depending on what one vomits up can be an
indication of gastrointestinal disorders. If the patient is vomiting blood it could be coming from
the stomach from a perforated ulcer. If the patient is vomiting bile it could be coming from the
small intestine. Undigested food coming from the stomach is an indicator that either the food
was contaminated or the patient has something in his stomach that can cause the vomiting
reflex center in the brain to activate.

4
Running Header: Vomitus

Works Cited
Gould, B. E. (2006). Pathophysiology for the Health Professionals, 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: W.B.
Sauders.

Hyde, S. (2005, Feb 17). Management of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting in the Adult
Population. North Metropolitan Area Health Service.