EC cells are little sensors in the lining of your gut. When they feel food pass by, they send out serotonin to help keep things moving.
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EC cells are spread out all along your gut, from the stomach to the large intestine. They are the most common hormone-making cells in the gut.
An EC cell is tall and thin. Its top touches what's inside your gut. Its bottom is packed with tiny bubbles of serotonin, close to nerves and blood.
You may have heard that serotonin is a brain chemical. But most of your body's serotonin is actually made in your gut!
Your intestines push food along by squeezing, a bit like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube. When EC cells sense food pressing and rubbing, they let out serotonin.
Serotonin passes the news to nearby nerves. The nerves help the gut muscles squeeze in the right places, so food keeps moving.
Scroll up to the 3D model and press Send serotonin to watch the message reach the nerve.