ANP 1107

Question 1

What are the main functions of the digestive system?

Answer 1

-Ingestion
-Break down into nutrient molecules
-Absorb nutrients into bloodstream
-Rid body of any indigestible remains
-Production of neurotransmitters (gastrin, secretin, CCK, motilin)
-Nutrient production (serotonin)

Question 2

What are the two groups of organs in the digestive system?

Answer 2

-Alimentary Canal (GI Tract)
-Accessory Digestive Organs/Structures

Question 3

What is the purpose of the Alimentary Canal (GI Tract)

Answer 3

-Digests and absorbs food through lining (mucosa) into blood

Question 4

What are the purpose of the accessory digestive organs/structures?

Answer 4

-Mechanical and chemical digestion of food

Question 5

List the elements of the GI Tract

Answer 5

1. Mouth
2. Pharynx
3. Esophagus
4. Stomach
5. Small Intestine
6. Large Intestine
7. Anus

Question 6

List the elements of the accessory digestive organs/structures

Answer 6

-Teeth
-Tongue
-Gallbladder
-Digestive glands
–Liver
–Pancreas
–Salivary Glands

Question 7

What are the major digestive processes

Answer 7

1. Ingestion
2. Mechanical Breakdown
3. Propulsion
   -Swallowing
   -Peristalsis
4. Digestion
   -Catabolism
5. Absorption
6. Compaction & Defecation

Question 8

What is Peristalsis?

Answer 8

-Adjacent segments of alimentary tract organs alternately contract and relax
-Some mixing may occur
-Food is moved forward

Question 9

What is Segmentation?

Answer 9

-Nonadjacent segments of alimentary tract organs alternately contract and relax
-Food mixing & breakdown; slow food propulsion occurs
-Food is moved forward and backward

Question 10

What is the difference between visceral peritoneum and parietal peritoneum?

Answer 10

-Visceral peritoneum is the lining that covers individual digestive organs within the abdominal cavity, while the parietal peritoneum lines the outer body wall.

Question 11

What is peritonitis?

Answer 11

The inflammation and swelling of the peritoneum.

Question 12

What does mesentery mean?

Answer 12

-It is a double layer of peritoneum, which is fused together and extends to the organs from the body wall mostly posterior
-Provides support for the organs; holds them in place
-Stores fat

Question 13

What does intraperitoneal mean?

Answer 13

-Organs that are located within the peritoneum

Question 14

What does retroperitoneal mean?

Answer 14

-Organs located outside/posterior to the peritoneum
-I.e. most of pancreas, some of the large intestine, duodenum

Question 15

Name the four basic layers that all digestive organs have

Answer 15

-Mucosa
-Submucosa
-Muscularis externa
-Serosa

Question 15

Name the three functions of the Mucosa?

Answer 15

1. Secretion: mucus, digestive enzymes, hormonmes
2. Absorption: end products of digestion
3. Protection: against infectious disease

Question 16

What are the three sublayers of the Mucosa?

Answer 16

1. Epithelium - Simple columnar epithelium rich in mucus-secreting cells (Goblet cells)
2. Lamina propria - Loose areolar CT: capillaries for nourishment & absorption
3. Muscularis mucosae - smooth muscle that produces local movements of mucosa

Question 17

What are the functions/traits of the Submucosa?

Answer 17

-Areolar CT
-Blood and lymphatic vessels, lymphoid follicle
-Submucosal nerve plexus
-Abundant in elastic fibres

Question 18

What are the functions/traits of the Muscularis externa?

Answer 18

-Segmentation & Peristalsis
-Inner circular & outer longitudinal layers
-Sphincters in organ-to organ junctions
-Myenteric nerve plexus

Question 19

What are the functions/traits of the Serosa?

Answer 19

-Visceral peritoneum: outermost protective layer
-Areolar connective tissue covered with mesothelium
-Replaced by the fibrous adventitia in the esophagus (adventitia: fibrous connective tissue that “binds” the esophagus to surrounding tissues)