Alimentary Physiology

Question 1

Name the functions of the digestive system?

Answer 1

Digestion, secretion, absorption and motility

Question 2

What is the function of the mouth?

Answer 2

Foodstuffs broken down by chewing; saliva used as lubricant

Question 3

What is the function of the stomach?

Answer 3

Digestion of proteins, foodstuffs reduced to liquid form, storage and sterilisation

Question 4

What is the function of oesophagus?

Answer 4

Conduit between mouth and stomach

Question 5

What is the function of the pancreas?

Answer 5

Digestive enzymes for digestion of fats, carbohydrates and proteins

Question 6

What is the function of the liver?

Answer 6

Produce bile salts for digestion/absorption for fats in small intestine

Question 7

What is the function of the gallbladder?

Answer 7

Stores and concentrates bile

Question 8

What is the function of the small intestine?

Answer 8

Final stages of chemical digestion and nutrient absorption

Question 9

What is the function of the large intestine?

Answer 9

Water absorption, bacterial fermentation and formation of faeces

Question 10

Describe the structure of the alimentary canal

Answer 10

Continuous hollow tube which runs from oesophagus to rectum

Question 11

Name the four distinct layers of the alimentary canal

Answer 11

Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa/adventitia

Question 12

What lies within the mucosal layer of the alimentary canal?

Answer 12

Epithelium, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae

Question 13

What epithelium lines the mouth, oesophagus and anal canal?

Answer 13

Stratified squamous

Question 14

What epithelium lines the stomach, small and large intestine?

Answer 14

Simple Columnar

Question 15

What are the functions of the mucosa of the GI system?

Answer 15

Synthesis and secretions of digestive enzymes, hormones and mucus, absorbs production of digestion

Question 16

What lies within the lamina propria?

Answer 16

Loose connective tissue (glands, blood/lymph vessels)

Question 17

What makes up the muscularis mucosae?

Answer 17

Thin smooth muscle layer

Question 18

What makes up the submucosa?

Answer 18

Thick, irregular connective tissue

Question 19

What lies within the submucosa?

Answer 19

Contains neurones, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels

Question 20

Where do submucosal glands lie?

Answer 20

In the oesophagus and the duodenum

Question 21

What is the function of the outer later of the muscularis externa?

Answer 21

Shortens the tube

Question 22

What is the function of the inner layer of the muscularis externa?

Answer 22

Constricts the lumen

Question 23

What is the action of the muscularis externa ?

Answer 23

Produce motility (peristalsis and segmentation)

Question 24

What lies within the muscularis externa?

Answer 24

Myenteric plexus

Question 25

What makes up the enteric system ?

Answer 25

The submucosal and myenteric plexus

Question 26

What nerves provide parasympathetic control to the alimentary system?

Answer 26

Vagus nerve and CNVII, CNIX (salivation)

Question 27

What does parasympathetic action do to the alimentary system?

Answer 27

Increase secretion and motility

Question 28

What nerves provide sympathetic innervation to the alimentary system?

Answer 28

Splanchnic nerve

Question 29

What does the celiac trunk supply?

Answer 29

Stomach, small intestine, pancreas, liver

Question 30

What does the superior mesenteric artery supply?

Answer 30

Small intestine, caecum, ascending colon, transverse colon

Question 31

What does the inferior mesenteric artery supply?

Answer 31

Descending colon, sigmoid colon and the rectum