5- Motility of GI System Flashcards
________ involves the contraction and relaxation of the walls and sphincters of the GI tract.
Motility
Motility _______ is regulated along the GI tract.
Rate
Contractions of the ________ ________ mix and circulate the content of the lumen and propel through the GI tract.
Muscularis Propria
What are the functional layers of the GI tract?
Mucosal Layer
Submucosa
Muscle Layers (Muscularis Propria)
Serosa
The mucosal layer of the GI tract consists of the ________ ________, which is composed of smooth muscle and its contractions change the shape and surface area of the epithelium.
Muscularis Mucosae
The muscle layers (Muscularis Propria) of the GI tract are made of smooth muscle layers and provide motility to the GI tract. What muscles are contained in this layer?
Circular Muscle
Longitudinal Muscle
The contraction of this GI tract muscle decreases the diameter of the segment.
Circular Muscle
The contraction of this GI tract muscle decreases the length of the segment.
Longitudinal Muscle
These are the depolarization and depolarization of the membrane potential in the GI smooth muscle. They are NOT action potentials.
Slow Waves
For slow waves, the ________ response follows the electrical response.
Mechanical
T/F. Slow waves can sometimes create enough depolarization to reach threshold and create action potentials.
True
These type of contractions are periodic, followed by relaxation. It occurs in the esophagus, stomach (antrum), small intestine, and all tissues involved in mixing and propulsion.
Phasic Contractions
These type of contractions maintain a constant level of contraction without regular periods of relaxation. It occurs in the stomach (orad), lower esophageal, ileocecal, and internal anal sphincters.
Tonic Contractions
***This is important because it maintains a contraction to close off certain parts of the GI tract. It relaxes when things need to pass through!
The greater the number of action potentials on top of the slow wave, the (SMALLER/LARGER) the contraction.
Larger
Explain the difference between the stomach and the intestines regarding the slow wave that does NOT reach threshold to create action potentials.
In the stomach, a slow wave that does not reach threshold can still create a small contraction. In the intestines, a slow wave that does not reach threshold can NOT create any contraction.
_________ increases the amplitude of slow waves and the number of action potentials, while _________ decreases the amplitude of slow waves.
ACh
NE
***Think parasympathetics and sympathetics!
What are the 3 main things that can stimulate slow waves and help to reach threshold and create action potentials?
- Stretch
- ACh
- Parasympathetics
What are the 2 main things that will decrease slow waves and cause hyperpolarization?
- NE
2. Sympathetics
What makes up the Enteric Nervous System (ENS)?
Submucosal Plexus
Myenteric (Auerbach’s) Plexus
This portion of the ENS mainly controls GI secretions and local blood flow.
Submucosal Plexus
This portion of the ENS is between the longitudinal and circular layers, and mainly controls GI movements.
Myenteric (Auerbach’s) Plexus
_________ regions in the Myenteric and Submucosal Plexuses generate spontaneous slow wave activity.
Pacemaker
These cells are the pacemaker for GI smooth muscle. They generate and propagate slow waves.
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)
Slow waves occur spontaneously in the ICC and spread rapidly to smooth muscle via…
Gap Junctions
_________ activity in the ICC drives the frequency of contractions.
Electrical
ICC generate and propagate slow waves. Electrotonic conduction of slow waves cause smooth muscle cells to respond to the slow depolarizations with increased ________ channel open probability. This results in action potentials and contraction.
Calcium
Most of the muscles of mastication are innervated by the motor branch of what nerve?
CN V (Trigeminal)
The act of ________ is both voluntary and involuntary. It is controlled by nuclei in the brain stem and caused by a chewing reflex.
Mastication
What are the phases of swallowing, both voluntary and involuntary?
Oral Phase (Voluntary) Pharyngeal Phase (Involuntary) Esophageal Phase (Involuntary)
This phase is voluntary and initiates the swallowing process.
Oral Phase
This phase consists of striated muscle and lasts 1-2 seconds. Food bolus is propelled through the upper esophageal sphincter (UES).
Pharyngeal Phase (Involuntary)
Describe what happens in the Pharyngeal Phase of swallowing.
Soft Palate is pulled upward —
Epiglottis moves —
UES relaxes —
Peristaltic wave of contractions initiated in pharynx —
Food propelled through open UES
This phase consists of smooth muscle and lasts 8-10 seconds. It is controlled by the swallowing reflex and ENS. It has a primary and secondary peristaltic wave.
Esophageal Phase (Involuntary)
What is the difference between the primary and secondary peristaltic waves in the Esophageal Phase?
Primary Peristaltic Wave – transfers food bolus
Secondary Peristaltic Wave – backup plan for any remnants of bolus left behind
The involuntary swallowing reflex is controlled by the…
Medulla
Describe the neurological steps involved the Pharyngeal Phase of swallowing.
Food in Pharynx —
Afferent sensory input via Vagus/Glossopharyngeal N. —
Swallowing Center (Medulla) —
Brainstem Nuclei —
Efferent input to Pharynx
This type of peristaltic wave is a continuation of the pharyngeal peristalsis. It is controlled by the medulla.
Primary Peristaltic Wave
Primary Peristaltic Waves (CAN/CANNOT) occur after vagotomy.
Cannot
This type of peristaltic wave occurs if the primary wave fails to empty the esophagus or if gastric contents reflux into the esophagus. Medulla and ENS are involved.
Secondary Peristaltic Wave
Secondary Peristaltic Wave (CAN/CANNOT) occur in the absence of oral and pharyngeal phases, and (CAN/CANNOT) occur after vagotomy.
Can
Can
During swallowing there are changes in ________ along the esophagus as food bolus passes through it.
Pressure
***High pressures can mean tonic contraction, like at UES and LES!
Explain the challenges with the intrathoracic location of the esophagus, and how these challenges are overcome.
Problems = Keeping air out of esophagus at the upper end and acidic gastric contents out of the lower end.
Solutions = UES and LES are closed, except when food bolus is passing from pharynx to esophagus or from esophagus to stomach.
This is a motility disorder that occurs from impaired peristalsis. There is incomplete LES relaxation during swallowing, causing elevation of LES resting pressure. LES stays closed during swallowing, resulting in the back up of food.
Achalasia
Why does achalasia happen?
– Decreased number of ganglion cells in Myenteric Plexus
– Degeneration preferentially involves inhibitory neurons producing NO/VIP (these relax the LES)
– Damage to nerves in the esophagus, preventing it from squeezing food into the stomach
What can achalasia result in?
– Backflow of food in the throat (regurgitation)
– Difficulty swallowing liquids and solids (dysphagia)
– Heartburn
– Chest Pain
How can we test for achalasia?
- Barium swallow test
- - Esophageal motility studies